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Floridians Take Proactive Measures Against Flooding Risks

Homeowners in Florida are elevating their homes to prevent flooding risks.

News Summary

As climate change intensifies flooding risks, Florida homeowners are elevating their properties to combat the challenges posed by rising sea levels and more extreme weather. The Elevate Florida initiative allocates $400 million to assist residents with these projects. Experts highlight the urgency of adapting homes, especially after recent storms, while the Martin family shares their costly yet necessary elevation experience. Despite hurdles like contractor shortages and stringent regulations, many Floridians are taking steps to secure their homes ahead of the incoming hurricane season.

St. Petersburg, Florida – As the risks of flooding increase due to climate change, homeowners across Florida are taking proactive measures to protect their properties. This includes raising homes to higher elevations, a trend seen particularly among residents who have faced repeated flooding. Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatrician with a significant social media following, had her home elevated 12 feet in just seven hours, after experiencing severe flooding three times in four years. With hurricane season approaching, millions of Floridians are expected to pursue similar home elevation projects to mitigate risks.

Florida leads the nation with the highest number of properties at risk of flooding, a situation that has been worsened by rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity. To address this critical challenge, the state has launched the Elevate Florida initiative, which allocates $400 million in federal funding to assist homeowners in elevating their residences and implementing other mitigation strategies.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for homeowners to adapt their properties. Roderick Scott, a specialist in flood hazard mitigation, underscores that securing buildings against flooding is essential for their long-term viability. However, many property owners face several obstacles, including high costs, a shortage of contractors, and complex permitting processes that have slowed the progress of home elevation across the state.

Recent hurricane activity has surged demand for home elevation solutions, particularly following storms like Helene and Milton. In the Tampa Bay area, the demand has increased significantly, with JAS Builders reporting a tenfold rise in home elevation projects, now handling 15 to 20 homes each month. Additionally, St. Petersburg has issued 14 home elevation permits in the past year alone, indicating a significant increase in interest in elevation projects.

The Martin family, who previously undertook renovations on their home, found themselves repeatedly affected by flooding, resulting in substantial losses. They documented their experiences on social media, shedding light on the emotional toll lost personal items have on families. Ultimately, despite the high costs—estimated at $400,000 for their elevation—the Martins concluded that raising their home was a more economical option than relocating or building a new elevated structure.

The elevation process can be intricate and often daunting for homeowners. A particular challenge in Florida is the “50 percent rule,” which mandates that homes suffering damage exceeding half their value must be rebuilt to meet new standards. This rule serves as a significant motivator for many homeowners to elevate their properties before potential storm damage occurs.

In Miami-Dade County, however, elevating homes is less common, partly due to the region’s recent immunity from severe storms when compared to the Gulf Coast. Additionally, contractors in Florida face challenges posed by sandy soil and lower-quality construction standards, making home elevation more difficult and costly—approximately 30 percent more expensive than similar projects in other regions.

Despite the substantial funding provided by the Elevate Florida program, it is anticipated that only about 1,000 homes will be elevated under this initiative, highlighting the need for increased financial assistance to support broader efforts. Some homeowners, like the Martins, opted to pursue elevation without obtaining a permit due to the urgency of their situation, although they did receive their permit several months later.

Once complete, Dr. Martin and her family expect to return to their newly elevated home by early 2026, providing them with a safer environment for storing valuables and significantly reducing the risks of flooding during future storms. As more Floridians confront the reality of climate change, the trend of home elevation is likely to continue, reshaping the landscape of residential housing throughout the state.