Fish Cabin at White Rock Shoals · Photo: Florida Department of State - Division of Historical Resources - Bureau of Historic Preservation · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in St. James City than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. James City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #542 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then coastal flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 869 claims here since 2020.
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 St. James City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What St. James City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 St. James City’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. James City, and St. James City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #542 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. James City’s residents live in 3 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, St. James City has more expected damage per building than 85% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across St. James City: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. James City flood? Yes: 869 flood claims since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. James City, from FEMA’s records: 241.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ian658 claims · $40.6M
- Hurricane Milton134 claims · $6.1M
- Hurricane Helene72 claims · $7.2M
St. James City 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to St. James City
Disasters that paid out in St. James City itself (aid to households or repair grants to St. James City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Milton382 households applied for aid$1,000K aid approved134 flood claims paid for it, $6.1M
- 2024Hurricane Helene137 households applied for aid$670K aid approved72 flood claims paid for it, $7.2M
- 2022Hurricane Ian2,652 households applied for aid$22.8M aid approved658 flood claims paid for it, $40.6M
- 2017Hurricane Irma390 households applied for aid$105K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Wilma54 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Frances46 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley1,086 households applied for aid$881K aid approved
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 St. James City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. James City archive →St. James City and its neighbors
St. James City is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Island Center | Dmore damage than 92% | hurricanes | — |
| St. James City | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 869 |
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 St. James City 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in St. James City
Is St. James City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. James City has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #542 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and coastal flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. James City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 869 claims in St. James City since 2020, $54.1M in all, or 241.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ian (658).
Is St. James City 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 St. James City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. James City’s 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 St. James City?
By FEMA money that reached St. James City, Hurricane Ian (2022): 2,652 households applied for aid, $22.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ian: 658 paid, $40.6M.
Is St. James City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and St. James City’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. James City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. James City’s 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.