Florida’s Big Bend area has been hit by three hurricanes in 13 months, leaving communities like Horseshoe Beach grappling with the costs of rebuilding and questions about their future.
Kate Payne and David R. Martin report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Florida’s Big Bend region was devastated by Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene, with many homes destroyed and residents unable to afford rebuilding.
- Many families are living in temporary shelters or with relatives, while others consider leaving the area entirely due to the increasing storm risks.
- Local residents are organizing aid themselves as government support, including insurance and FEMA, has been insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis.
Key quote:
“They lost everything with Idalia and they were told, ‘here, you can have a loan.’ I mean, where’s our tax money going then?”
— Janalea England, local resident
Why this matters:
Stronger, more frequent storms linked to climate change are making it harder for vulnerable coastal communities to rebuild. Many residents face impossible choices between staying in flood-prone homes or leaving behind their livelihoods and histories.
