South Florida

7 ways Florida residents are coping with rising climate risks

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Florida residents are employing various strategies to cope with rising climate risks, as extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods and wildfires become more frequent.

Homeowners are turning to costly adaptations such as raising homes or floodproofing properties, as many areas face repeated flooding from powerful storms like Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Policy changes, including stricter rebuilding requirements from FEMA, are pushing communities to adopt resilient practices.

However, these shifts come with financial challenges for residents, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities, who often face systemic inequities in disaster recovery resources. Risk mitigation efforts, from structural adaptations to policy enforcement, are now essential for Florida’s future climate resilience.

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. 1: 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.

NO. 2: 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 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.

NO. 3: AFTER DISASTERS LIKE MILTON, WHITES GAIN WEALTH, WHILE PEOPLE OF COLOR LOSE, RESEARCH SHOWS

The Biden administration has approved more than $2.3 billion for those affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Studies show the system for distributing the funds deepens historical divides. | Published November 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amy Green

A damaged home caused by Hurricane Ian seen along Fort Myers Beach on Monday, October 3, 2022.

NO. 4: FEMA TO FLORIDA CITIES HIT BY HURRICANES: REBUILD HIGHER OR LOSE YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE

Fort Myers Beach loses flood insurance discounts after a problematic rebuild from Hurricane Ian. | Published November 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris

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. 5: 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

Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, center, at the Caribbean Community meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday, February 20, 2025. By Jacqueline Charles

NO. 6: TRUMP’S CLIMATE-CHANGE MOVES, OTHER FOREIGN POLICY SHIFTS POSE CHALLENGE FOR CARIBBEAN

Invasive brown algae is destroying their sandy coastlines, emanating toxic gasses that are killing corals and turning hotel guests away, while increasingly deadly tropical storms and uncharacteristic hurricanes are threatening to sink their already vulnerable economies. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jacqueline Charles

Homestead, FL- Florida Forest Service Helicopter gathers water from a retention pond behind Homestead Speedway Friday, March 21, 2025, to fight nearby wildfires in south Miami-Dade County. By David Goodhue

NO. 7: CONDITIONS ARE RIPE FOR A SPRINGTIME OF FIRES IN SOUTH FLORIDA, FOREST EXPERTS SAY

Drier winter conditions and two major hurricanes last year are big factors | Published March 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Goodhue Milena Malaver

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