Photo: Franz Stellbrink · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Naples than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Naples gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #506 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3,566 claims here since 1978.
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 Naples’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Naples 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
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 Naples’ grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Naples, and Naples’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #506 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Naples’ residents live in 13 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, Naples has more expected damage per building than 79% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $31.2M a year in losses across Naples: $30.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Naples flood? Yes: 3,566 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Naples, from FEMA’s records: 188.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian2,681 claims · $507M
- Hurricane Milton409 claims · $49.5M
- Hurricane Irma198 claims · $11.3M
Naples is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Collier County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Naples
Disasters that paid out in Naples itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Naples), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton8,069 households applied for aid$4.2M aid approved$497K to the City of Naples for repairs409 flood claims paid for it, $49.5M
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,416 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$19K to the City of Naples for repairs84 flood claims paid for it, $11.8M
- 2022Hurricane Ian28,644 households applied for aid$50.5M aid approved$20.2M to the City of Naples for repairs2,681 flood claims paid for it, $507M
- 2017Hurricane Irma62,528 households applied for aid$27.9M aid approved$6.2M to the City of Naples for repairs198 flood claims paid for it, $11.3M
- 2012Hurricane Isaac$25K to the City of Naples for repairs
- 2012Tropical Storm Debby$3K to the City of Naples for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Tropical Storm Fay35 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$91K to the City of Naples for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Wilma12,385 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$7.2M to the City of Naples for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2004Hurricane Frances2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$5K to the City of Naples for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley648 households applied for aid$309K aid approved$693K to the City of Naples for repairs
- 2001Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding Associated with Tropical Storm Gabrielle$21K to the City of Naples for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Collier County has had 36 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 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Collier County, 1999–2020.
Old photos of Naples after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Naples archive →Naples and its neighbors
Naples has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naples | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | 3,566 |
| Pelican Bay | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 322 |
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 Naples 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.
- 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.
- Naples residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Naples
Is Naples at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Naples has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #506 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Naples flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,566 claims in Naples since 1978, $585M in all, or 188.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 424 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (2,681).
Is Naples 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 Collier County, 29.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Naples?
Naples is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Naples?
By FEMA money that reached Naples, Hurricane Ian (2022): 28,644 households applied for aid, $50.5M approved, and $20.2M to the City of Naples for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 2,681 paid, $507M.
Is Naples at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Naples’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Naples.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Naples’ 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.