South Florida

Rising tides and fires: Seven climate stories shaping Florida

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Florida remains at the forefront of climate change, with surging tides, stronger hurricanes and extreme heat.

Slow-moving disasters like sea-level rise and groundwater flooding amplify risks to infrastructure, homes and ecosystems, while events like Hurricane Milton spotlight the growing intensity of storms fueled by warming oceans.

Communities are rallying through initiatives tha tinclude cooling stations for vulnerable residents and house-raising projects.

Nonprofits and local governments are leading efforts to expand green infrastructure, advocate for worker protections and increase climate education.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Jean Wilfred, 70, enjoys a bottle of water as the outreach team from the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust handed out bottles of water to individuals living on the street on Aug. 1, 2024, in Miami, Florida, during a period of sweltering heat. By Carl Juste

NO. 1: ‘WE NEED WATER.’ HOW SOUTH FLORIDA GROUPS ARE HELPING THOSE HARDEST HIT BY EXTREME HEAT

Miami-area nonprofits are helping those most vulnerable to the extreme heat South Florida is facing. | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mimi Whitefield

President Joe Biden arrives in St. Pete Beach to delver remarks just days after Hurricane Milton tore across Florida, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. By Alicia Devine/USA TODAY Network

NO. 2: FLORIDIANS ‘HEARTBROKEN’ AFTER MILTON, HELENE, BIDEN SAYS AFTER ST. PETE BEACH VISIT

“Small business owners here and homeowners have taken a real beating,” Biden said. | Published October 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Divya Kumar

Dr. Meghan Martin’s home in St. Petersburg was gutted after Hurricane Helene flooded her floors with water from the bay. Martin is moving on plans to raise her home 12 feet. By Ashley Miznazi

NO. 3: A TIKTOKER’S FLORIDA HOME FLOODED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. NOW, SHE’S RAISING IT BY 12 FEET

Even at about $400,000, Dr. Meghan Martin said it’s the easiest and most affordable option she has. | Published October 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers ride a flats boat through the flooded N 12th St in North Tampa, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, a day after Hurricane Milton crossed Florida’s Gulf Coast. By Pedro Portal

NO. 4: HURRICANE MILTON BROUGHT A SHOCKING DELUGE. THE REASON WHY DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR FLORIDA

‘Hurricanes are more intense, they’re wetter and seem to be moving at a slower pace.’ | Published October 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi Ana Claudia Chacin

A driver blinks their hazard lights on Arthur Street in Hollywood, Florida, as heavy rain floods the surrounding neighborhood on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 5: THE TRILLION-DOLLAR HIDDEN THREAT FROM CLIMATE CHANGE: RISING GROUNDWATER

Up to 70% of residents between North Carolina and Florida could be impacted by the end of the century with just over three feet of sea rise. | Published December 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenny Staletovich

Oakley and Casey Jones, tourists from Idaho Falls, navigate the flooded streets of Miami Beach as they try to make their way to their hotel on Collins Ave and 30th Street during a King Tide. By Emily Michot

NO. 6: HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN FLORIDA? WE WANT TO HEAR THEM — AND ANSWER THEM

How much sea level rise do we expect? Does a hotter world mean more mosquitoes? | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris

An orange, floating berm used to collect garbage and debris stretches across the Little River just north of the South Florida Water Management District’s flood control device near NE 82nd St and NE fourth Pl. Friday October 15, 2021. The berm also marks the end point for any water vessels heading east along the Little River. To continue along the river past this point boats would have to be lifted out of the water and carried across NE 82nd St. By Emily MIchot

NO. 7: BISCAYNE BAY IS POLLUTED. MIAMI-DADE HOPES THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP CLEAN IT UP

Three pilot projects have been installed in Miami-Dade rivers and canals. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Heath

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.