To stay or leave? Florida after the hurricane

Florida is known as the USA's sunshine state. However, the annual hurricane season can make it a terrifying place. On 28th September, hurricane Ian, a category four storm, damaged houses and buildings with strong winds and floods. Hurricane Ian also took 30 lives.

Residents of Cape Coral are slowly recovering from the destruction. However, some like Kenneth Lowe have accepted this reality and have decided to remain.

Kenneth Lowe: "Southwest Florida's my heaven on earth. And hurricanes come with South Florida so, you know, you just gotta kind of take it. And I'm willing to take that – it's my favourite place, you know. It's worth it. Just got to kind of have insurance, be prepared and do the smart, make the smart decision."

Florida experiences the most hurricanes in the USA. While scientists remain uncertain about the increasing frequency of future storms, they agree on their increasing size and strength. Rising sea temperatures due to climate change are responsible.

Tamara Lang remains positive about the situation. She hopes another 100 years will pass before the next major storm. 

Tamara Lang: "The community's been great. The neighbours have been great. Gotten to know more people since we've even gotten here – just people helping. So, we'll just rebuild and, and you know, move on, hopefully. Hopefully, it'll be another 100 years before the next one. Next big one, I should say."

Cape Coral was constructed on soft, wetland - a marshland, which means the area floods easily. In 30 years, sea levels are predicted to rise 14-18 inches and authorities must now reconsider where homes can be built. 

Facing the destruction of hurricane Ian, some may now think of leaving, but others will not give up their dream home.

Irene Giordano: "We have nowhere to go. I mean we could, we've, well I mean, we have places to go. But I, I just, you know, my mom's here – I just don't know. Don't have really any desire, in, in some ways, I – it's hard to say. It just, it just, it's just hard to describe."

Christopher Tuscan: "I think we're gonna try get this place back together. I mean, we've been here since '68. I mean, it's one in a million, and it got us good."
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