Hurricane Ian
September 28–29, 2022 · FL, SC
$112 billion
Total Damage
700,000+
Homes Flooded
$60 billion
Insured Losses
$2.0 billion
FEMA Grants
What Happened
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds — the third-strongest landfalling hurricane in Florida history. The storm surge reached 18 feet in some Fort Myers Beach neighborhoods, completely obliterating structures that had withstood multiple prior hurricanes. Cape Coral, with 130,000 homes built largely on fill islands with canal frontage, sustained unprecedented storm surge flooding. Fort Myers Beach was virtually destroyed. Ian then crossed Florida and emerged into the Atlantic, making a second landfall in South Carolina. Total damage of $112 billion makes Ian the costliest Florida hurricane ever recorded, eclipsing Andrew (1992).
Rainfall Record
20–25 inches across Southwest Florida; 12–18 inches in Central Florida
Affected Cities & States
States
Primary Cities
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Naples
- Port Charlotte
- Punta Gorda
- Orlando
- Sarasota
Key Lessons for Homeowners
- 1
Ian's 18-foot storm surge destroyed reinforced concrete structures — height matters more than building type for surge survival
- 2
Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach were built in high-surge-risk zones with minimal setback requirements — prior decades of permitting contributed to losses
- 3
Florida's insurance market had already lost 6 private carriers before Ian — claims were handled by Citizens Insurance or Demotech-rated carriers with limited capital
- 4
Inland Orlando flooding from Ian's rainfall showed 150 miles of separation from landfall does not equal safety
Damage & Recovery by the Numbers
- Total Economic Damage
- $112 billion
- Insured Losses
- $60 billion
- Homes Flooded
- 700,000+
- FEMA Grants Issued
- $2.0 billion
- FEMA Declaration #
- DR-4673
Official Resources
FEMA Declaration Number: DR-4673
Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.
Dealing With Water Damage Now?
24/7 emergency response across all affected states
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Related Resources
Other Major Events
Hurricane Ian — Frequently Asked Questions
How much damage did Hurricane Ian cause?
Hurricane Ian (2022) caused $112 billion in total damages, with $60 billion in insured losses. Approximately 700,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $2.0 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
What are the key lessons from Hurricane Ian for homeowners?
Key lessons from Hurricane Ian: Ian's 18-foot storm surge destroyed reinforced concrete structures — height matters more than building type for surge survival; Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach were built in high-surge-risk zones with minimal setback requirements — prior decades of permitting contributed to losses; Florida's insurance market had already lost 6 private carriers before Ian — claims were handled by Citizens Insurance or Demotech-rated carriers with limited capital; Inland Orlando flooding from Ian's rainfall showed 150 miles of separation from landfall does not equal safety.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from events like Hurricane Ian?
Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Hurricane Ian. This type of damage — surface water flooding from hurricanes and storm surge — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance.
FEMA disaster assistance (average $2.0 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
How do I apply for FEMA assistance after a disaster like Hurricane Ian?
Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages.
FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. A recorded menu picks up first: choose water damage or mold, key in your 5-digit ZIP code, and hold through the short silence while the call is passed to the company.
Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line. If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
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