FEMA puts Three Oaks’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Oaks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #551 of 638 in Florida. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2017.
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 Three Oaks 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 Three Oaks’ grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Three Oaks, and Three Oaks’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
D #551 of 638 in Florida; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Three Oaks’ 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, Three Oaks has more expected damage per building than 86% of Florida towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Three Oaks: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Three Oaks flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Three Oaks, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irma4 claims · $114K
- Hurricane Ian1 claim · $380
Three Oaks 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.The storms Three Oaks remembers
None of the 30 disasters declared for Lee County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Three Oaks itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20174 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irma, declared for Lee County
- 20221 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Nicole, declared for Lee County
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 Three Oaks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Three Oaks archive →Three Oaks and its neighbors
Three Oaks is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Carlos Park | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 105 |
| Three Oaks | Dmore damage than 94% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Estero | D−more damage than 95% | hurricanes | 188 |
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 Three Oaks 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Three Oaks
Is Three Oaks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Three Oaks has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #551 of 638 in Florida. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Three Oaks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Three Oaks since 2017, $115K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irma (4).
Is Three Oaks 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 Three Oaks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Three Oaks’ 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 Three Oaks?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irma: 4 paid, $114K.
Is Three Oaks at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Three Oaks’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Three Oaks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Three Oaks’ 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.