How climate change could impact Florida in 2025 and beyond

Florida faces growing challenges from climate change.

Rising sea levels are speeding up, with Miami expected to see about two feet of sea level rise by 2060 and as many as 23,000 people at risk for coastal flooding by 2050. Extreme weather like hurricanes and torrential rain is already damaging homes and raising costs for farmers, which means higher restaurant prices and food shortages.

Programs like Miami Beach's "Fight the Flood Property Adaptation" are helping residents install flood barriers or raise their homes, but there are barriers like high property costs and delays. Cities are also using updated flood predictions to plan for new developments, knowing that building resilience and reducing emissions will be key steps moving forward.

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.

Chefs Val and Nando Chang at the counter of the original Itamae at the former St. Roch Market (now MIA Market), where they opened in 2018. Val Chang hosted the James Beard Foundation at her restaurant, Maty’s, on Jan. 22 to discuss how climate change is disrupting the restaurant and farming industries. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 1: RISING PRICES ON SOUTH FLORIDA MENUS? RISING COSTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONTRIBUTE

“Climate change has a direct impact on the supply chain that your favorite chefs depend on.” | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi

No children were playing on the dinosaur or pony ride at the Little River Pocket Mini Park Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 9, 2021, after the park was flooded with King Tide waters. This type of flooding could be much more common in the future as sea levels rise. By Emily Michot

NO. 2: WE ANSWER YOUR CLIMATE QUESTIONS: HOW MUCH SEA LEVEL RISE IS MIAMI EXPECTING?

Exactly how high will the tide rise? Scientists have a prediction. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris

A resident walks with her belongings through the flooded N 15th St in North Tampa, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, a day after Hurricane Milton crossed Florida’s Gulf Coast. By Pedro Portal

NO. 3: FLORIDA MOST AT RISK OF ‘SEVERE COASTAL FLOODING.’ NEW RESEARCH SHOWS WHERE

‘This is a level of exposure that’s going to require a massive amount of planning and investment in coastal resilience.’ | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Hruby

Victor Corone, 66, pushes his wife Maria Diaz, 64, in a wheelchair through more than a foot of flood water on 84th street in Miami Beach on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Diaz had a doctor’s appointment, and they had to ditch the car in the parking lot on Collins Ave and walk more than 20 minutes to get home. By Photograph by Al Diaz

NO. 4: HOW TO GET MONEY TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FLOODING IN MIAMI BEACH

“We want to do incremental adaptation, you know, things that we can build upon over time, and things that are going to stand the test of time” | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi

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.