FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lochmoor Waterway Estates than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lochmoor Waterway Estates gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #448 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 707 claims here since 1980.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lochmoor Waterway Estates faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lochmoor Waterway Estates, and Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #448 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lochmoor Waterway Estates has more expected damage per building than 70% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Lochmoor Waterway Estates: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lochmoor Waterway Estates flood? Yes: 707 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lochmoor Waterway Estates, from FEMA’s records: 229.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian515 claims · $57.5M
- Hurricane Helene97 claims · $11.9M
- Hurricane Milton26 claims · $1.0M
Lochmoor Waterway Estates isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Lochmoor Waterway Estates
Disasters that paid out in Lochmoor Waterway Estates itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lochmoor Waterway Estates), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $581K
Lee County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Lee County, 1999–2017.
Old photos of Lochmoor Waterway Estates after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lochmoor Waterway Estates archive →Lochmoor Waterway Estates and its neighbors
Lochmoor Waterway Estates is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Myers | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 711 |
| Cape Coral | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 4,381 |
| Lochmoor Waterway Estates | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 707 |
| North Fort Myers | Dmore damage than 91% | hurricanes | 1,786 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Lochmoor Waterway Estates faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lochmoor Waterway Estates
Is Lochmoor Waterway Estates at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lochmoor Waterway Estates has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #448 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lochmoor Waterway Estates flood?
Flood insurance has paid 707 claims in Lochmoor Waterway Estates since 1980, $71.8M in all, or 229.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (515).
Is Lochmoor Waterway Estates in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Lee County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 24.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lochmoor Waterway Estates?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lochmoor Waterway Estates?
By FEMA money that reached Lochmoor Waterway Estates, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3 households applied for aid, $1K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 515 paid, $57.5M.
Is Lochmoor Waterway Estates at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lochmoor Waterway Estates.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lochmoor Waterway Estates’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.