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Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
On the Gulf Coast, homes are being elevated. When will the rest of Florida follow?
Once the hydraulic jacks were moved underneath the slab, Dr. Meghan Martin's home rose higher and higher – 12 inches at a time, level on a grid of wooden beams. Within a mere seven hours, her 1960s, ranch-style house was 12 feet up in the air. 'It was very surreal,' Martin, an emergency care pediatrician in St. Petersburg who has shared her experience of flooding three times in just four years with her more than 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, said. The videos she's now posted of her home elevation project, she told the Herald, don't do it justice, because 'it's just so high.' With hurricane season around the corner, Martin is visibly relieved that her home and her family – her husband, four kids and three cats – are now out of the flood plain. To stay safe from future storm surges and flooding, millions across Florida will need to follow suit. Florida already has more properties at risk of flooding than in any other state, and rising sea levels, increasingly more intense hurricanes and storm surges are making matters worse. Experts across real estate, construction, disaster preparedness, resilience and public and elected officials agree that Florida's future is in the air. This year, the state launched Elevate Florida, offering roughly $400 million in federal funding for residential mitigation, including raising an existing structure. 'If you don't adapt these buildings, they're not gonna make it,' says Roderick Scott, a flood hazard mitigation specialist who's been lifting homes since Hurricane Katrina kicked off the industry in New Orleans. Experts argue that real estate prices in Florida have been propped up — at least in part— by what they call a 'climate denial bubble,' which has been valued in the billions. At some point, though, non-elevated buildings will start to devalue, while insurance costs will continue to rise across the state, whether a certain building has already flooded or not. The task at hand, however, is nothing but formidable: While neither FEMA nor the state provide figures on how many homes will need to be elevated, Scott puts the estimate at as many as 2 million buildings. Roughly two-thirds of them – some 1.3 million – are private homes. Statewide, little progress has been made. High costs, a lack of contractors, questions over permitting, and a market that incentivizes rebuilding without elevating, have led areas like Miami-Dade to instead focus on improving drainage systems or building sea walls. Such mitigation efforts, while part of the solution, will fail to protect properties from the several feet high storm surges that a hurricane can generate. But on the other side of the state, in areas like Tampa Bay, Hurricanes Helene and Milton triggered a dramatic pivot. The two storms combined led to about 334,000 residential property insurance claims, according to February 2025 data by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation, many of them in areas that were hit by particularly high storm surge. Since then, home elevations have surged. 'The increase is significant – it's actually unbelievable,' said Jeff Trosclair, CEO of JAS Builders, one of the few Florida contractors with experience in home elevation. Trosclair and his partners now raise 15 to 20 homes each month, more than ten times the pre-Helene and Milton average. At one point, demand was so intense the traffic flood took out the company's website. 'That's just something that a construction company doesn't generally experience very often,' he said. Most of his clients are in Pinellas and Hillsborough county, among last year's hardest-hit areas. The city of St. Petersburg, which used to issue an average of fewer than three home elevation permits annually, confirmed that Helene and Milton led to a sudden spike in applications, with 14 permits issue since last year, and another 12 pending from this year already. 'It's an expensive venture' That sudden demand came from communities like low-lying Shore Acres, where the Martins bought a house just big enough to fit their four kids and three cats. They closed on the $260,000 steal nine years ago, having checked with neighbors that the area had never flooded. The only flood insurance record Dr. Martin's husband could find dated some 25 years back. They spent some $80,000 on renovations and assumed they could handle the risk of a little flooding every few decades. But in recent years, repeated flooding from both named hurricanes and no-name storms fundamentally changed the community. When the Herald visited just after Helene, the streets were lined with waterlogged sofas and children's beds. Among Dr. Martin's personal losses: a Santa Claus cross-stitch from her late grandfather, who had inspired her to become a doctor. 'It's just so terrible to lose everything, to have everything in your house just completely water logged and dirty,' she told the Herald. At least three houses on her block have already been elevated, she said, and about six more are in the process within the neighborhood. Another dozen are hoping to get started soon. Friends across the region, she says, are thinking about it. Dr. Martin and her husband had already decided to raise their home after Hurricane Idalia flooded their home in 2023, just three years after they'd recovered from Eta. Each time documenting the devastation and emotional loss on social media. 'It's an expensive venture,' she told the Herald of the $400,000 price tag. Yet even considering that they're still paying off their mortgage, flood and homeowner's insurance, as well as the cost of renting a place while their home is being renovated, it's the cheapest option. A new house in a safer area around St. Pete would have cost them well above $1 million, while building a new, elevated house would have cost around $700,000. The Martins picked the most experienced of the five contractors and got to work on a plan. The ground floor would be raised by a foot – still uninsurable, but useful for storage. Electrical wiring and outlets will be installed only on the 10-foot-high ceilings, and the space will be used for their two minivans, kids' bikes, and general storage. When they submitted their request in June 2024, they were hoping that their home would be elevated in time to survive the next storm surge. The process, however, was 'arduous' and 'very frustrating,' Dr. Martin told the Herald. In August, Dr. Martin says, the permitting office responded with a laundry list of still missing documents and plans. Each time they submitted additional documents, more requests followed. Home elevation applications are already prioritized, the city said, though they're working to improve the process, including by streamlining the zoning review process for flood mitigation. Some have taken less than two months, others, like the Martin's, closer to a year. 'It's very frustrating, all of the things they could have given us in the beginning,' Martin said. A month later, Hurricane Helene flooded their home for a third time. This time, 89 percent of the property's value was destroyed. Whether they'd wanted to or not, they'd now need to elevate their home, as FEMA stipulates that houses with damage exceeding half their value be torn down and rebuilt to the newest standards. Trosclair said that some of his customers are elevating to comply with this so-called '50 percent rule' while others are preemptively raising their homes because they understand that climate change is making storms more severe. Since Helene and Milton, homeowners have been asked to include estimates for budget items that used to fall under the table, like the cost of wall paint. It's a different story in Miami-Dade and along most of Florida's east coast. Raising pre-existing homes is still rare, in part because the region has recently been spared the devastation the Gulf Coast endured. The priority, Scott said, should be elevating homes out of harm's way. Anything short of that simply won't cut it, he said. 'People who think they can stop flooding are delusional - they are not living in the real world,' he said. Challenges of elevating in Florida Like the regions affected by super storms Katrina and Sandy, Florida will need to grow a safe and solid home elevation industry – the sooner, the better. Contractors who execute the job will need to be aware of Florida's unique challenges, Trosclair said. First, there's the sandy soil, which requires special piles to secure the house. Then, there's the low-quality construction. Unlike in New Orleans, where most homes sit on a thick, solid footing of more than 30 inches, foundations in Florida are often just 4 inches thick. Rebars were 'thrown in the dirt' and, decades later, have 'all rusted out,' said Trosclair, who grew up in Louisiana, and first got exposed to home elevation after Hurricane Katrina. The slimmer foundation slab can't hold the weight of the house once it's in the air, making it necessary to reinforce it with steel. On average, raising a home in Florida costs 30 percent more than elsewhere, Trosclair said. The incredibly high expense has many homeowners holding out for Elevate Florida funding. Though the $400 million in federal grants is a step in the right direction, even spending all of it on raising ranch-style, slab-on-grade homes like the Martins' would only elevate about 1,000 homes. That's only about .1 percent of the 1.3 million private homes Scott estimates might need to be raised statewide. Martin and her family felt they couldn't wait that long. They secured a low-interest loan instead, and, with hurricane season just around the corner and still no permit in sight, they gave their contractor the go ahead. 'We decided to raise it up, without a permit,' she told her followers. They did get a code violation, but finally secured their permit in April. 'Congratulations…application has passed the plan review process,' her husband read in a social media video, while she's smiling next to him on the couch in their three-bedroom rental. Her followers, who've mostly come for the medical advice she shared with a no-nonsense approach, have been cheering her on. 'Congratulations on minimizing future flood damage!!,' one follower, who raised their own Connecticut home after Hurricane Sandy, wrote. By the time Dr. Martin and her family return home, it may be early 2026. They still need stairs and must complete interior renovations. But by next hurricane season, they'll be 11 feet above their flood-prone neighborhood – perhaps even high enough to glimpse Tampa Bay – posting medical advice, not storm loss updates. As one follower commented: 'Peace out flooding.' This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content. If you have questions for the climate team, please email climate@
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
7 ways Florida residents are coping with rising climate risks
South Florida 7 ways Florida residents are coping with rising climate risks 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.
Miami Herald
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Rising tides and fires: Seven climate stories shaping Florida
South Florida Rising tides and fires: Seven climate stories shaping Florida 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.
