Hurricanes are a way of life in Florida, but if you own property in the Fort Myers area—especially if you're out of state—understanding the realities of hurricane damage is essential to protecting your investment.
There’s a lot of media hype around hurricanes, and while they absolutely deserve respect, the fear factor is often inflated. That’s why, as someone who’s been through over a dozen hurricanes and worked as a property manager in this area for 25+ years, I want to break it all down clearly and practically.
In this first installment of our four-part series on hurricane readiness, we’ll cover:
The different types of damage hurricanes cause
What actually matters most based on location
The myths vs. facts about hurricane frequency and severity
What this means for your Fort Myers-area rental property
1. Types of Hurricane Damage to Expect
Not all hurricanes are the same. Even if they fall into the same category on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the actual impact varies widely depending on size, speed, landfall location, and timing.
Here are the primary damage types to watch for:
• Wind Damage
Strong sustained winds and intense gusts can cause widespread issues. Think of blown-over signs, tree limbs crashing into structures, and shattered windows from flying debris.
Pool cages often collapse (I’ve seen mine crushed while my neighbor's went untouched)
Roof shingles can be peeled off
Material in carports, lanai and fences are common casualties
• Rain & Flash Flooding
This isn’t just about rainfall totals. It’s about how fast it falls and how well your area drains. Clogged streets from leaves, tree limbs blocking runoff, and oversaturated ground can lead to interior water damage.
Rain destabilizes trees (we lost a massive 150-year-old banyan trees during Irma)
Older oak trees especially vulnerable
Garages and lower-level living spaces are flood-prone
• Storm Surge
This is when ocean or gulf water gets pushed inland. It’s what made Hurricane Ian devastating for the Fort Myers coastline. Ian hit during high tide, pushing water well beyond previous expectations (8 feet high).
Coastal areas like Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, and Matlacha were hit hardest
Some areas are now considered uninsurable for flood damage
• Tree Fall + Infrastructure Issues
Many properties in Fort Myers have older, beautiful trees—but they can become deadly. Once the soil gets oversaturated, it doesn't take much wind to send them crashing down.
Damage to roofs, vehicles, fences, and power lines
Major cleanup delays access and repairs
2. Your Location Matters More Than the Category
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the hurricane category number (Category 3) tells you how worried you should be. In reality, where your property is located has a much greater impact on the type of damage it may face.
Inland (e.g., Lehigh Acres):
Less risk of storm surge
Higher risk of wind and rain flooding
Tree fall and runoff backups more common
Coastal (e.g., Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs):
Highest storm surge risk
Must be mindful of evacuation zones
Insurance rates and flood zone classifications are steeper
Urban (e.g., Downtown Fort Myers):
Wind tunnel effects between buildings
Drains can back up quickly for flooding causing car damage
Access can be limited due to bridge closures
3. Hurricane Myths vs. Facts
Let’s bust a few common myths floating around:
📉 Myth: Hurricanes are getting worse every year.
Fact: The frequency and intensity of hurricanes fluctuate, but over the last 120 years, data shows hurricanes have stayed relatively consistent in Florida. What has changed is population growth and development in high-risk areas.
🌊 Myth: All hurricanes bring storm surge.
Fact: Only hurricanes that push water from the Gulf toward the coast (from the west) pose significant storm surge threats to Fort Myers. Storms coming from the east or south (like Irma) are more about wind and rain for our area.
❄️ Myth: Newer homes are always safer.
Fact: Not always. Construction quality, roof design, elevation, and landscaping all play a role. Older homes with proper updates can perform better than some newer builds.
4. What Fort Myers Property Owners Should Take Away
If you own property in the Fort Myers area—especially if you’re managing it remotely—here are the key insights from this section:
Damage isn’t just about the storm’s strength. It’s about your location, drainage, elevation, and prep.
Storm surge is real. Ian proved that. If your rental is coastal, flood insurance and elevation matter more than ever.
Tree management is critical. Trimming weak or leaning trees before storm season can prevent catastrophic losses.
No two hurricanes behave the same. Past performance is helpful, but never predictive.
Expert Quote from Michael (25+ Year Property Manager): “Every hurricane is different. What protects your property in one storm might not help in the next. The key is knowing your location, hurricane history, acting early, and having the right support team in place.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s more dangerous: wind or storm surge?
Both can be equally damaging depending on your location. Inland = wind/flood. Coastal = storm surge + wind.
Should I buy flood insurance if it’s not required?
Possibly—especially after Ian. Flood zones were redrawn, and non-required areas still got flooded. Better safe than sorry.
Do renters have to evacuate during an order?
Evacuation is not legally enforceable, but highly recommended. Police may go door to door warning about a mandatory evacuation, but cannot force someone to leave.
Does hurricane damage always mean high insurance deductibles?
Depends on your insurance deductible. A hurricane deductible is only used if a hurricane warning/watch is officially issued. Rain damage during unnamed storms might fall under your normal deductible.
Up Next: Part 2 - How to Best Protect Your Property Before a Storm
We’ll dive into preparation timelines, protection strategies for different property types, and how to work with renters or managers to get the job done in time.
Check out our other zoom session on Renting in a slow market: https://www.redfortresspropertymanagement.com/blog/how-to-successfully-rent-your-property-in-a-tough-market-insider-tips-from-a-property-management-pro
Stay tuned and feel free to email me at: mike@redfortresspm.com
