What evacuation zone am I in in Lee County?

Enter your address in Lee County's Find My Evacuation Zone tool on the county's Know Your Zone page, or in the LeePrepares app. Lee County uses Zones A through E, named by storm surge risk.

Are evacuation zones based on the hurricane category?

No. Lee County says its zones are no longer referenced by storm category, and Charlotte County says storm surge does not correlate with storm category. Orders depend on the forecast surge for each storm.

Can I be ordered to evacuate before the weather gets bad?

Yes. Lee County warns that it may order Zone A to evacuate before you see any effects of the storm.

Will there be a public shelter in Charlotte County?

Not necessarily. Charlotte County says that because the county is low and surrounded by water, it may not be possible to open any shelters in the county, so plan to evacuate to another area.

Where can I check which shelters are open?

Your county emergency management site and the Florida Division of Emergency Management shelter status page at floridadisaster.org/shelter-status. Shelter openings change for every storm.

Lee, Collier and Charlotte County evacuation zones

Compiled by Joel Maldonado for SWFL.now from official sources · Last reviewed 20 October 2026

Evacuation zones are lettered areas that county emergency managers order out by storm surge risk, starting with Zone A. Look up your address with your county's official tool: Lee (Zones A to E), Collier, or Charlotte (Zones A to E). When your zone is ordered to evacuate, leave.

Always follow your county's orders. This page explains how zones work and links to the official tools. Zone maps, shelters and orders change; the county emergency management office is the authority. If you are told to leave, leave.

How evacuation zones work

They are based on storm surge. Lee County's zones are "no longer referenced by storm category, but are now named by hurricane surge evacuation zones" (Lee County). Charlotte County's zones use National Hurricane Center data, elevation and evacuation routes, and the county warns that "storm surge does not correlate with the category of the storm" (Charlotte County).
Orders go out by zone, lowest letter first. A Zone A order can come before any wind or rain arrives.
Surge is the deadliest hazard. In Hurricane Ian, 36 of the 41 U.S. storm surge deaths were in Lee County (NHC Ian report). NOAA says "the greatest threat to life actually comes from the water" (NOAA).
Not your flood zone. Evacuation zones come from county emergency management; FEMA flood zones set insurance and building rules. Check both. See what flood zone am I in?
Decide where you would go now. Charlotte County advises choosing your destination in advance and leaving well before the storm.

Lee County evacuation zones

Lee County uses Zones A, B, C, D and E.

Know Your Zone (Find My Evacuation Zone)Click the magnifying glass and enter your address.
AlertLeeLee County's mass notification system. Sign up for emergency alerts.
LeePrepares appFree iPhone and Android app with an evacuation zone map, open shelters and alert sign-up (Lee County).
Special Medical Needs Shelter registryFor residents whose medical needs require help but not a hospital. Register before the season peaks.

Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Bonita Springs and Estero are all in Lee County's zone system. Emergency management: leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement.

Collier County evacuation zones

Collier County publishes lettered evacuation zones. Check the county lookup for yours rather than relying on a neighbor's or an old map.

Collier County zone lookupEnter your address in the county's lookup tool.
AlertCollierCollier County's emergency alert sign-up (Everbridge).
Special Needs programCollier County's program for residents with special medical needs; register before a storm.
Emergency AssistanceCurrent hazards and shelter rules when a storm threatens.

Source: Collier County Emergency Management. Collier 311: (239) 252-4311.

Charlotte County evacuation zones

Charlotte County uses Zones A (red), B (orange), C (yellow), D (green) and E (purple).

Know Your Zone lookupThe county's interactive zone map. A printable zone map is also available.
Alert CharlotteThe county's emergency alerts.
Evacuation routes and the Disaster Planning Guide (also in Spanish and Haitian Creole on the county site).

Charlotte County Emergency Management: 941-743-1200, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. The county notes that "it may not be possible to open any shelters in the County," so plan to evacuate to another area (Charlotte County).

Statewide tools

Florida Know Your Zone: statewide evacuation zone map from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Florida shelter status: open shelters during an event.
National Hurricane Center: official forecasts, watches and warnings.

Before you need to leave

Make the plan now: where you will go, how you will get there, and what you will take. See the hurricane preparedness checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What evacuation zone am I in in Lee County?: Enter your address in Lee County's Find My Evacuation Zone tool on the county's Know Your Zone page, or in the LeePrepares app. Lee County uses Zones A through E, named by storm surge risk.
Are evacuation zones based on the hurricane category?: No. Lee County says its zones are no longer referenced by storm category, and Charlotte County says storm surge does not correlate with storm category. Orders depend on the forecast surge for each storm.
Can I be ordered to evacuate before the weather gets bad?: Yes. Lee County warns that it may order Zone A to evacuate before you see any effects of the storm.
Will there be a public shelter in Charlotte County?: Not necessarily. Charlotte County says that because the county is low and surrounded by water, it may not be possible to open any shelters in the county, so plan to evacuate to another area.
Where can I check which shelters are open?: Your county emergency management site and the Florida Division of Emergency Management shelter status page at floridadisaster.org/shelter-status. Shelter openings change for every storm.

About this guide. SWFL.now is a free information guide. It is not a government website. Facts are checked against FEMA, the National Hurricane Center, the State of Florida and Lee, Collier and Charlotte county agencies, and each source is linked where it is used. Rules, maps and programs change, so always confirm with the official source before you act. This is general information, not insurance, legal or engineering advice. SWFL.now is operated alongside FloodProtection.now and Flood Barrier Pros; see About.