To stay or leave? Florida after the hurricane

Dubbed the sunshine state, Florida is a paradise for millions, but one which can quickly turn into a living hell due to hurricanes. Ravaged by the 28th September's category four hurricane Ian, the state's western coast was battered by strong force winds and inundated with flood waters which decimated homes and claimed the lives of at least 30 people.

In the aftermath, Cape Coral residents, like Kenneth Lowe, are picking up the pieces, but have no intentions of resettling. 

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."

Lying in the hurricane belt, Florida's the US’s most frequently hurricane-battered state. As the increased frequency of these hurricanes remains unclear, scientists concur on their growing intensity, owing to warmer sea temperatures as a result of climate change. 

Tamara Lang remains hopeful, a century might pass before the next major storm makes landfall in Florida.

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."

The rapidly populated Cape Coral was constructed on reclaimed marshland which leaves it flood prone. And with sea level rise predicted at 14-18 inches within the next 30 years, authorities need to make more informed decisions about the location and design of housing. 

In the wake of hurricane Ian, residents are torn between relocating and giving up the Floridian paradise or clinging to their sunshine state and fully accepting the consequences.  

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." View Less