Should Florida residents rebuild after Hurricane Ian? | Banfield

Residents in Florida are beginning to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. But should they? Host Ashleigh Banfield poses the question to Lt. Gen. Russell Honore, commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, and Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute, who outline the risks people face when living in coastal areas.
#HurricaneIan #recovery #florida
On "Banfield," big-name celebrities, newsmakers and public figures join Ashleigh for a unique opportunity to sit down and talk. No debates. No shouting over each other. A conversation. Weeknights at 10pm/9C.
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[@killersugar6816]

I think the worst part is that once people realized they should have left, that door had closed and they were trapped.

[@paulespinoza1994]

My hope is that with technology, cell phone livestreaming and social media that chronicle these storms particular this one and hurricane Michael in 2018 convince people to leave once the evacuation order goes out. It's not worth your life and now that you can vividly see how powerful and relentless Mother nature is and that nothing short of an above ground concrete bunker reinforced with rebrarb could stand up to the power of Cat 4 or 5 winds with accompanying storm surge!

[@lizzieb6311]

I’m a Floridian… been here 40 years. I have a “go box” and carriers for my pets I can load in my SUV as soon as evacuation orders are given… or if I’ve got that uneasy worry. I’ve endured Charley, Jeanne, Francis (all 3 in 2004 - back to back) and Irma in 2017, and Ian. Every storm there is a batch of idiots who REFUSE to leave which INFURIATES me. Not referring to those UNABLE to leave… the ones who are simply ignorant fools who risk the lives of others trying to rescue them.. they’re SELFISH.

[@mariaherradi8732]

They were warned every hour to please evacuate ,but it was their choice to stay . Sad , very sad ,many lives would had been saved .RIP to all those souls that departed at this time .

[@marymarin1152]

@@lizzieb6311 Very well said...I am a native Miamian, still living here, and am prepared and follow evac orders when given. Hope all is well with you.

[@annaangol1748]

@@paulespinoza1994 so true

[@carygray9831]

Definition of insanity = doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result

[@cherylkoski7184]

That's what everyone says--nothing new.

[@Xx-po1fu]

@@cherylkoski7184 It might not be new but it definitely fits here.

[@NeasTube]

It's amazing that people feel so invincible. Without a healthy dose of fear, we're our own worst enemy.

[@MetalDEmpire]

Our Hubris will be our downfall,

[@jwilcox4726]

No, I'm old too and I know what he was thinking. After living there for 16 years he had never seen water coming down his street, he said. I can tell you this storm surge has only been talked about the past decade or so. We can't imagine water that high, through our homes, up to ceilings high. I am old and can't even imagine what that would look like, in the real. This is weird new stuff that is here now. I wonder what is coming in the near future? He had not a clue that water could even do what it did, I still just can't imagine. Peace & goodwill to every living creature. Hope.

[@kimberluna2226]

No matter what techno advances, no construction whatsoever is going to out strengthen mother nature and her storm raths, with lax codes, and crooked ego politician seekers who've got a wad if cash in there pockets sure us going to look the other way when a uneducated builder, investment group etc, is going to BUILD BELOW SEA LEVEL, ....there's so much that could be said about the people whom are allowing it to happen...sure ..if it only lines there pockets, they only care about themselves and not about the lives of others...... Very disturbing, and upsetting.. it's a hand foot mouth thing...investors, insurers, politicians, it's a three ring circus that lives, feeds and breeds off itself, a giant ignigma!!!!!

[@itsolivier]

It isn’t until shit hits the fan that you get hit and open your eyes .. these peoples like everyone in the social media are think their invincible , sadly I think if he got off his phone and thought about possibilities he wouldn’t take the chance , I shutter just thinking about hurricane Katrina and I wasn’t even in it ❤😢

[@kimberluna2226]

@@itsolivier I've been to Fort Meyers, and just taking it all in, it's unbelievable to really fathom that anyone could've thought that they can even survive the storm surge, with tsunami a huge wave happens quickly then fazes out, with the surge, it's like a balloon that swells up and lingers... The aftermath of this storm is just unbelievable, at least w 911 it was a tall building collapsed upon itself somewhat contained to a few blocks, definitely more lives lost totally... This is a huge/larger area of destruction. (Sq miles) This town & others are just in shreds.. regardless of what the warning times were, it's just horrific how it's so destroyed , splintered & littered mainly due to a storm surge... I think there's more lives lost than we all originally believe, & how the lives were taken.. mostly from suffocating in attics, drownings in cars, swept away perhaps never to be recovered. How are they going to track the deceased???...idk, I think as days progress it's going to get physiological ly more difficult to think about ever rebuilding there etc.....why arent they also dropping debri dumpsters to start the bucket brigade happening for clearing the destruction, photograph & document all the shreds, & just start clearing out space s, get to the bodies before they are rotten molded corpses start affecting the air quality,, and the birds come to feast in on them. If the armed forces can drop tanks by helicopter or plane surely they can definitely come ashore, with it being a season for these events the pace needs to be upped before the next storm might roll in...look how puerto rico took it's hit, still without power...it's a waste of effort to give news about the people & all the numbers about whose got power & who does not, we just want to know how & what they are needing for help.... Managing this crisis could handled far better, but playing the blame game for days on who what when and what is bs reducioulous, look people who play with fire should expect to get burnt do to speak, everybody with common sense will tell you nothing is structurally sound when you build "below sea level, have crappy construction, aka "Flood Zone", sad horrific oh yes, avoidable tradegy "No " mother nature at the wheel, no control over her, but to not take heed to warnings to leave/evacuate that's on the people that decided to stick it out, they chose to risk there lives, as that was said announcement after announcement.....I'd prefer to think that perhaps that was the way they wanted to depart this world and they died doing something they loved....living the life at the "Beach" no matter what the cost was...and it truly was a beautiful place with lots of good people...resting in peace at Ft. Myers

[@RealLegoBeast]

I dodged that bullet. I moved from fort myers to Winston Salem 3 months ago. Glad I did

[@KailuaChick]

I just moved from Venice to NE FL 3 months ago and am moving to the triangle when my lease is up here. We’ve got great timing! Hope you’re liking NC, I can’t wait to get up there.

[@cmcmahon8551]

Does that little 91 year old retired nurse have a GoFundMe, she broke my heart!

[@Ravenelvenlady]

My heart goes out to all those affected. I really hope that if they decide to rebuild, to do it wisely. Perhaps the building codes should change to that of what we find in the Caribbean. Houses could be made of stronger materials--like cement. They may then be able to hold up against the hurricane winds at least.

[@sdsfive]

Building codes already specify cinder block and hurricane straps for new construction. The homes you see that are leveled were all built before the modern codes. The big issue is the flooding. Can't avoid that unless you build up on stilts.

[@iamezekiel1970]

We will be back stronger than ever.

[@el-Cu9432]

Flood and mudslides are threats also. Cement houses will not help there.

[@higherquest3842]

I moved 5 months ago from Florida. I had gone through so many hurricanes including Andrew! My brother was in Ft Myers with his family. They are ok but there is damage to there him. My parents were in St Augustine. Florida will always be my home but this is horrible!

[@MrJacobrabbit]

Glad they are ok

[@Dan-xx5jq]

I live in La I wish I could afford to leave but I can't! The storms are becoming more powerful with each year.

[@pamelaernstine9751]

I'd never move there. God bless.

[@lizbethartemis4886]

indiscriminate building to make money. Everyone pays for these poorly built homes.

[@putjesusfirst9217]

@@Dan-xx5jq their not stop believing this crap, they tell you. 1969 Camille came through you live in LA you should well k ow about that hurricane 200mph they said that winds topped 200mph but back then they couldn’t get real mph it broke The wind gauge. No matter where you live their is disasters, tornado, hurricanes, snow storms, earthquake, etc that’s just naming a few. Stop this craziness. Also people like to go on vacations to the beach that’s why these people live their. Ok take it all away. But lots these people have own these homes that’s all they have. It’s not easy to pack up an start somewhere else when your old.

[@kimweaver1252]

When you keep losing battles, consider for a minute, just consider retreating. Yield to the forces which are inexorable, immutable, and effectively eternal, compared to human time scales.

[@MaureenC143]

What happened to 'learning from experience'?!? All it would take for me is ONE TIME of having my property destroyed or significantly damaged, and I would be OUT of that area for good! Repeating the same error of judgment is aka insanity....

[@scott5309]

@@MaureenC143 that would be the obvious decision unless someone else is footing the bill. Fema and the feds need to stop recovery payments in the coastal areas of Florida and other areas that are high risk for Hurricanes enough is enough. Soon after Katrina new orleans has flooded several times and is pretty much ruined after billions were spent for recovery. These people living in mansions on the coast need to dig into their own pockets when they make a bad gamble.

[@joannewsome5202]

Another important thing - not enough highways in Florida. When you’re ordered to evacuate , the roads are jammed.

[@michelesworld3292]

Blah, blah, blah🙄 Those rich people could have got out. The dead are the ones who refused to leave. Mother Nature is sick of these people hoggging up the waterfront property. Well not anymore! Bye, bye non Floridians. Go back where you came from 😄

[@j.103]

If you wait too long to leave that’s what will happen.

[@sher_3771]

@@j.103 This area thought they were ok to stay. Hurricanes dont usually turn quickly like this one did & they are almost never as wide as this storm was. Evacuation recommendations were issued to late for many people, especially the poor & the elderly. What many sitting at home judging don't understand is that it is not possible for Floridians to evacuate everytime a hurricane might come your way. If we did we'd be evacuating up to 7-8 times a year. They aren't tornados. They are huge storms that move at a snails pace. Most people believed they would have plenty of notice if it was going to hit them. Unfortunately Tampa & Sarasota were evacuated with time to spare, but areas south weren't. With all of the weather predictions leading up to Ian, we thought we would have plenty of time to head south to saftey when we woke up that morning, but when we got up Ian was so big there was no where safe to go. And it's always better to be in your house than your car in a hurricane.

[@AlphaOmeg-y3h]

@@sher_3771 "hurricanes don't normally turn quickly"....God says otherwise. He has his way in the heavens and the earth beneath.

[@MadDragon76]

@@AlphaOmeg-y3h by that logic God sent this hurricane because he wanted people to die. This is what praying gets you count me out.

[@kenbrown438]

Thank you for this comprehensive report !!!! Well done , with compassion and intelligence !!!! Thank you , Ashleigh , Brian , the General , and Mr. Friedlander !!!!

[@Battleneter]

A full 20 minutes and didn't once mention the words "climate change" as that would be too unpopular for the intended audience, its a cowardly report.

[@stephaniewalsh67]

You should not assume that people ignored evacuation orders. Every individual has their own situation with which they may not have been able to evacuate properly due to financial or lack of resource reasons. Stop making them the villains

[@stevewhitener4903]

Exactly what I’ve told ppl.

[@Holistic_angst64]

You should ALWAYS be ready to evacuate if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, flash floods, bush forest, snow storms, etc. It's a no-brainer.

[@stevewhitener4903]

@@Holistic_angst64 And for the ppl with not even enough gas money to leave or the homeless what do they do?

[@amymbeauty8765]

Really sad about the father not surviving, and the others that lost their lives. The footage of that storm surge time lapse from the security camera is terrifying and sobering. Especially as it finally reaches the camera and washes away the adjacent building.

[@MS-tc2fs]

🍏🍏The federal government should have built up the barrier islands and invested millions more in flood mitigation and subsidizing insurance. Instead they’re handing ~ $110 million DAILY to Ukraine. Of all the equipment given to Ukraine, how much ends up on the black market? Who is profiting from all of this?

[@vickiengel8294]

Be careful what you wish for, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, & all dictator’ship’s exploit their citizens, have full control over their government’s, forget voting rights, they remain in total power until they die! Freedom of the press,, nada, only allowing State controlled news, while amassing billions for themselves to live in luxury, while the hard working people suffer in poverty! The US military would absolutely disagree with you, after lessons learned from WWl-WWll, Korean War, Middle East war’s & all war’s fought by American Patriots to remain a US Democratic Constitutional Republic! Thankfully Trump lost, being a wannabe dictator, stealing classified & Top Secret documents! Trump is a narcissistic lying con like his idol 🪆Putin & Little Rocket man, Kim Jung Un…”We fell in Love” 💌

[@stephencurah1059]

So sad

[@patriciajquinto9487]

@@MS-tc2fs YES! It's back to lets take care of our own people in our country!

[@normacolon9618]

Where is the footage...si sad. People need to see ai they can get out when hurricanes coming.

[@kathleencarter7231]

Big changes necessary to prevent such damage to property and loss of life in the future! Home construction must adhere to stricter codes! Levees, canals, and drainage areas should be fortified and built to direct water away from residential areas! Shelters built on higher ground in designated places. If recovery isn't done properly and more securely, we'll live through this type of devastation again and again!!

[@nalasgrandma262]

My husband's family lost everything in flooding from hurricane Agnes. The water reached within 6" of the 2nd floor ceiling. Their home was in central Pennsylvania, 50 miles north of Harrisburg. We are all vulnerable to the climate no matter how we much prepare. They ended up in a 4-room apartment over a garage for the rest of their lives. Retired, living on a fixed income means even FEMA loans are out of reach.

[@chandrowtiesingh137]

I am not sure if people want to live in Florida again. This is a devastating experience for everyone. Natural calamities are a disaster. Never take chances. Move means move. Natural calamities are un predictable. It's the law of nature. We need to use the power of discernment at all times. How to listen and catch signals. What is our subconscious mind saying. I am really sorry for these people. Please pray, have faith and trust your instincts.

[@misty4937]

This was a terrible thing that happened to them, however, this was not a normal event. Hurricanes come every year and I don't think Americans should pay for their lifestyle choice of living on unviable land.

[@joannewsome5202]

About horrible flooding in PA - where did water come from? A river, lake, run off from flooding from rain?

[@kimberluna2226]

Sorry for there losses . Living on a fixed is a mist delicate situation and your right you don't the correct yo debt ratio to qualify pretty much all loans .. I hope that there is some kind of happiness that can made of such a tradegic event .wishng you & yours wellness, safety, joy and peace .. .

[@kimberluna2226]

@@misty4937 code modifications had alot to do with things being constructed,,,someone at the govt level had to sign off in order for construction to begin, I guess we will have to wait to see what happens, in the meantime more could possibly arrive and sabotage all efforts, perhaps making it a state park for tenters only, with restrictions that can be controlled better, let the funds be given to re home these lost there homes, if the govt can bail out banks why couldn't buy out these property owners...and they could easily do so regardless. ...

[@caroltombari9112]

I think the people who questioned the fact we bought away from the beach in North Fort Myers now understand why. We are high and dry with minimal damage (thank God).

[@cr-iv1el]

To answer the question: The wise man built his house upon the rock...

[@janejones8672]

Rock = Mountains and Sand = The Beach.😢

[@lisabergman3779]

I agree with Ashleigh, why should we all pay high insurance premiums for people that want to live in harms way. There should be insurance companies just for these places that take only from their own pots of money. You want this life on the beach then you pay for it! Very good report on all sides of this horrible storm. The time laps security camera was terrifying once the water started to cover the lens.

[@jenniferruth812]

I used to live just inside Galveston County TX and we had to have Wind Insurance on top of regular home owner's insurance. So we basically paid double insurance to live in a high risk area. We also had flood added to the regular ins, as this usually isn't included w/o paying extra. Edit: funnily, hurricane Ike had hit Galveston just a few months before we bought that house. All it needed after that was a new roof. But it was about 30 miles inland.

[@donnar.m.devore3218]

Everyone lives in harms way. Wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, flooding, tornadoes, extreme cold / blizzards and extreme heat. So where exactly are people supposed to live? 26 years ago we bought 16 miles from the gulf of Mexico coastline. Our insurance was $900 a year, now it is $5,000 a year. We've made 2 claims in all of that time. Katrina was one of them. About 10 states were affected by Katrina. So I ask again, what state / place is safe from extreme weather?

[@betsyheimbuch]

@@donnar.m.devore3218 Cold, snow, etc. are NOT events that kill. I live in NY. Not the city, & I have never had a claim in over 30 years.

[@donnar.m.devore3218]

@@betsyheimbuch Cold kills hundreds every year. You are lucky that you have never had a catastrophic event in your area. Wasn't there a hurricane that flooded the subway up there?

[@sunshine6271]

@@betsyheimbuch Blizzard Damage Statistics Many Americans embrace the winter weather with open arms but fail to prepare for deadly cold snaps and blizzards. Winter storms result in a devastating loss of life, severe property damage and lasting economic impacts. Blizzard Fatalities In 2019, 73 people lost their lives from winter storms, making blizzards one of the deadliest natural catastrophes of the year. The National Weather Service’s statistics share similar results. According to the NWS, the 30-year average for weather fatalities is: Winter: 35 deaths Cold: 27 deaths Combined: 62 deaths Property Damage from Blizzards Blizzards can damage personal and public property, as freezing temperature and high winds test the stability of homes, buildings and other structures. Nearby trees and vegetation are also disrupted and may fall. In 2019 alone, winter storms caused $2.1 billion worth of insured damage in the United States. Additional damage is caused by power outages, a life-threatening situation for people with mobility issues, including seniors, who don’t have back-up heating. Automobile accidents also increase during blizzards and winter weather, as people feel overconfident in their ability to drive in the storm and lose control of their vehicles. Economic Impact Local economies also feel the direct impact of blizzard damage, as business is temporarily interrupted. Many people can’t work, participate in recreational activities or support local businesses during major winter storm events.

[@wdamato39]

The federal government has to stop enabling people to rebuild with taxpayer dollars. From this point on the destroyed area of Fort Myers should be a beach and a National or State park.

[@dcwatashi]

Boy I agree totally. And I sounded off to some other people in the Facebook group and on KZbin. Why the hell should we be paying to keep you living in sunny Florida? Not you personally just generally speaking. The state should fix their own roads and I don’t know why we have to pay to keep them living there. I mean how many bricks need to fall on these peoples heads?

[@laurab7]

100% agree with this this. There are many areas that should be national/ state park grounds and not residential or commercial zones especially right in the coast at or sea level.

[@stephanieg8545]

@@laurab7 I agree. I was watching some areal drone footage of the wreckage and was thinking to myself… if I came across this land and it had never been built on and it was completely empty, I would assume it was not a livable/ buildable place. I think some places just aren’t meant for development. Some of that land looked like nothing more than a sand bank, yet it was completely full of houses. I don’t think mother nature ever intended for land like that to stay as it is forever..

[@bromleysimon7414]

@@stephanieg8545 Tallahassee was chosen as the state capital because it was half way between St. Augustine and Pensacola, neither of which was immune from hurricanes. Everything south of that was deemed to be of truly questionable permanence.

[@shirleymoore1596]

I agree with you one hundred percent. Storms are only going to multiply and get stronger as time goes on. People can live a bit inland and still go to those areas to visit and enjoy. The insurance companies are most likely going to have to stop insuring dwellings built right beside the water.

[@Catilieth]

In south Louisiana many years ago they had the same problem with people building in known floodplains. They knew that every so often that area would flood and their houses would be full of water. But they also knew that the government would fund the rebuilding or repairing of their homes, so essentially they got a new house every time it flooded. Louisiana taxpayers we’re getting tired of paying for other peoples houses so they came up with a solution. For “safety“ reasons if your house was below the hundred year flood mark, they could not bring electrical power to that house. So if you chose to build your house below the hundred year flood mark you had to provide your own power. The effect was amazing. Developers who had been building in known floodplains, huge very nice houses, voluntarily stopped. One neighborhood near where I lived they literally bought in dirt to raise the land where they put in the houses , it looks kind of funny because every house is built on his own little mound of dirt. But the house doesn’t flood and that’s the point.

[@benjaminwright5936]

I lived for awhile in an older beach town, most of the beach houses had unfinished first floors furnished with outdoor furniture.

[@arribaficationwineho32]

There was a high end development in Shreveport INSIDE the Red River levee! It flooded, of course!

[@6Chihuahuas]

My heart goes out to you all. May God comfort, heal and bless everyone with the resources to rebuild... Sending hugs and prayers to the love ones of the deceased.

[@iamezekiel1970]

Your words!!!! Thank you!!! We will be back stronger than ever!

[@coolbreeze3338]

I live in Houma Louisiana,we was out of power for more than 3 months from the last hurricane, so I know how they feel,but my answer is yes, they should rebuild, it's not how hard you fell,but how hard it's gonna be to keep you down,RIP to those that lost their lives, y'all will get through this, just help those that needs help,I'm gonna go down there an help also,..

[@alec_884]

People fail to understand that we, the ones who were hit hardest in Lee county, were truly blindsided by this. Morons who live everywhere else have loved to say to us "why didn't you leave?" "you're idiots for living near the coast." Give me a break. The water made it up to ten miles inland. People have lived on the coastline since ancient times. Now we're idiots if we're not 10 miles inland? Hindsight is 20/20, great thinking skills. This has never happened to our community before. This storm doubled our previous storm surge record. We were supposed to know differently? So easy for the couch PhDs to say. We were supposed to know that we needed to leave? 24 hours before the storm it was supposed to hit 125 miles away in Tampa. 4 days out it was supposed to hit 400 miles away in Tallahassee. 12 hours out they still weren't sure if we were going to get a direct hit in either Tampa, Venice, Fort Myers, or even elsewhere. I watched it by the minute in fear not sure what to do on Tuesday the day before. Do I leave? The highway is jammed, and it's "supposed" to go where I was going to flee towards. Why do you think so many died in this storm? It was just too late for us to get out with the inconsistent information, which wasn't anyone's fault either. It was just mother nature being unpredictable. My point is this. If you have an opinion on this storm and you don't live here or you didn't watch it tirelessly minute by minute, then stop talking. It's infuriating. I've lived here my entire life and the worst storm I experienced, Charley in 04, was dwarfed by this. You're kicking us for doing nothing wrong at our lowest point.

[@alfrede.newman6626]

It's the insane press jazzing up everything for ratings..try to pull back from media but DEFINITELY avoid the social media.. for now anyway.. these shallow goldfish will soon be back to criticizing Billie Eyelash or standing with Latvia. And the press will be demanding Ron Desantis head for ....... yet to be revealed. It's not personal.. it is stupid internet addiction.

[@DorianPaige00]

You actually don't need a direct hit to get a bad storm surge. The west coast of Florida can be in that dangerous northeast quadrant while the hurricane is still gaining strength over the ocean. Tampa bay was receding and all that water payed Lee county a visit. It was quite a tragedy but going forward housing needs to get elevated with barrier islands perhaps remaining as a brake against these type storms. All the best in your recovery which won't be easy. I'm planning on retiring in Florida but never really liked the extreme coast for this reason.

[@alec_884]

@@DorianPaige00 I totally respect what you're saying, and you're right, a direct hit is not needed. Unfortunately for my area, this was quite literally the "perfect storm." It sucked all the water out of tampa bay, and due to its counterclockwise motion, had its southeastern quadrant inject all that water in between the horn of Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach. We never stood a chance. Just be careful where you choose because sometimes, as it was with this storm, there is such thing as a "wrong place wrong time."

[@Hayyyward]

@@alec_884 After all you said, the news still gave everyone warning how it would gain strength up to a Cat 4 before landfall. And if you paid attention, anyone could see just how big it was. Doesn't matter where landfall is stated as that is the eye. If you are within it's radius, it doesn't take a genius to know it would not be good. We've had plenty of hurricanes in the past to know nobody is safe even if you're 50 miles inland. But too many always think like you. Oh it's never affected us before so how could it now. Well there ya go. As for the warnings, it was several days before landfall they showed it shift and was clear it was going more east around Tampa. Plenty of time for people in those areas from Ft Myers up to evacuate so you weren't paying attention. The day before it made landfall it was showing south of Tampa. There was still time to evacuate. In fact, they even announced the night before about it and told people to leave by night. People still chose to stay. Some could not because they are elderly, disabled, etc. but plenty of able bodied people with the means to leave chose to stay and they were ignorant for doing so. Now they're admitting they regretted it. You'd think people would learn but they never do. I've been thru enough of them and it is always better to have plans in preraration and leave if it is a strong storm. If it shifts and goes eslewhere, then you left for a day or so and just return home. No biggie. But if you stay and wish for the best, you end up like these people in a much worse scenario. Now many are really forced to leave and many also still struggling to do so. I would much rather be somewhere else safe and sound than what they're going thru and all those people are now thinking the same.

[@alec_884]

@@Hayyyward Your logic is flawed. 50 miles inland there isn't 12 ft. of storm surge Hayward. The location of the storm DID matter DESPITE the size. Why is it that the damage was concentrated on Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Sanibel, and Naples? 4 places that are all next to each other? The words that best describe this storm, regardless of any outsider's opinion on it, are this: unpredictability and flooding. I was up watching this thing's every move Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. I spent 16 hours straight watching it not including all the time before that Tuesday. Do not tell me I was not paying attention. Have you any idea how many hurricanes skirt by and the damage is minimal? If you're as experienced as you say you are, then you should know this. I'm sorry, but this was a freak storm that surprised all of us. We're tired of the hindsight takes from people like you. You weren't in our position. You draw on your previous hurricane experience to make your claim, but do you really think we weren't doing the same? Don't be that arrogant.

[@wrongplanet1957]

Needs to be a 20 mile buffer of just nature

[@constancewashington9019]

Someone is riding a bicycle during the storm, how crazy is that....

[@lindabradford9591]

People were swimming and surfboards too not too long before it hit.

[@brianrenollet9663]

The insurance industry in Florida was already on shaky ground, with several insurance companies leaving Florida & with several homeowners unable to obtain insurance. People whose homes are paid for. It was already becoming a crisis. If you’re thinking of buying a home in Florida, MAKE SURE you can obtain homeowner’s insurance with excellent coverage. Many homeowners will be left with a fraction of monies for their home’s replacement, from their insurance company. The great migration to Florida will soon be ending after this hurricane.

[@ginadelsasso288]

I surely hope the migration is over now. More vegetation and less homes need to be placed along to coast lines to protect further erosion. We all know the oceans are rising and with every storm, less and less should be allowed to rebuild....even if they can afford it.

[@cantfixstupid5503]

simple fix here.. STOP moving to Florida.. WE ARE FUCKIN FULL

[@KailuaChick]

@@cantfixstupid5503 let’s hope many of these people take their fema and insurance money and move back up north

[@MadDragon76]

@@KailuaChick seriously, if I hadn't already gotten solar I wouldn't be able to afford my electric bill right now courtesy of these assholes.

[@janejones8672]

Thé great migration to Florida started when Disney World was built in the early 70’s and the people just keep pouring in. I don’t think this Hurricane or anything else will stop the great migration.😢😮

[@jeanjackson2324]

Prayers for Florida people…That we ask God to take care of his people ! Amen !

[@BrinyGale]

Everyone was still at work when track changed. Didn’t even have 24hrs.

[@fulanichild3138]

If you have enough money to live on the beach, you can replace your own damn house. It is unbelievable that these people will get new homes at taxpayers' expense when we have nearly 600,000 homeless people in America.

[@ryanfraser167]

You think fema and state relief replaces ppls homes? It doesn't.

[@kimleone5496]

They don't really get free money. They apply for lower interest loans but many may not qualify. The same here is true for people in fire and tornado areas. So if climate change really is causing three more powerful storms, fires, and tornadoes, are we all not responsible for destroying their homes? Not all of these homes are new mansions. Some are family homes, just like those burned to the ground in California and new Mexico. Many will never rebuild

[@ScooterWisdom]

Wrong. They get food and water for a while. Then they get offered loans they can’t afford and new building codes they also can’t afford. People with insurance don’t do that well either. Deductibles and new codes also will price out many. Rich people who can afford upwards of $500/ft. Plus land. The rich will be shopping for bargains. Sad, but the big bad wolf huffed and puffed and the stick built homes don’t fair well.

[@d.h.4778]

Homelessness is now even more of an issue in Florida. Did you not see that there were trailer parks and not beach houses affected by this too?

[@fulanichild3138]

In the end, it costs all of us when people insist on living in disaster prone areas. Either ban it or tell people, you're on your own.

[@maki7249]

Prime real estate along the water. Everyone wants to have a water view/access but-- A park for everyone with businesses (bars--etc) is sustainable. Homes should not allowed to be built over land that that is going to be washed away. The state could fairly buy the land and turn it into a park and let folks rebuild in a safer area.

[@GLN14659]

Brian, tell the stories! Stories of loss and healing. You are the one to do it. America needs the conversation. Are you ready?? Community, unity, change, loss, memories, family, and on and on. We need the conversation to heal and come back better. It's about strength not differences.

[@kingofnothing1433]

Same thing goes for Southern California which is built right on top of the San Andreas fault. And people in the midwest because of tornadoes or people up in the mountains because of avalanches.

[@bonnieharris7848]

My opinion is that new coastal limits need to be drawn. This needs to be the closest possible to shores that a person can safely build. If damaged home are within those new safe coastal limits, then, they can be allowed to repair. Those properties requiring rebuilding will have to relocate to rebuild in a safer location. Gradually, we must retreat from coastal residents and not allow new structures to be built in these UNSAFE zones

[@eleventy-seven]

If you flooded you need to mitigate the damage to remain insured in many cases. In our area in CA much of our town on the Russian River floods. People who wanted to retain insurance had to lift their home to remain insured. It worked those people have been through two ones that would have wrecked their homes and they went unscathed. I would suggest asking you insurer or better yet contacting the insurance commissioner once things settle and see how you can mitigate you problems with storm shutters and lifting. You'd be surprised at some at the funky old river homes on concrete columns like I've seen in Florida and Louisiana. Good luck from CA. We may be different but we all want safe homes for our families. Good Luck.

[@FeScully]

Tip. If you are buying a house in a area that floods try to check if the owners received money to lift the house. A friend of my sister in NJ bought a house that flooded on Irma. The insurance company refused to pay because they (or other company) had already paid money to get the house lifted. He had to sue both the previous owners and the insurance company. I don’t know if he got the money back

[@kindGSL]

@@FeScully I don't think the seller could get away with that sort of dirty trick in California because of the escrow process and California law. Maybe if the previous owner had died and it was being sold "as is." California has a lot of consumer protection laws and processes.

[@eleventy-seven]

I probably should have mentioned that the homeowners with the help from low interest loans were asked to pay. It increased the value as a lifted house takes care of the problem. In CA banks will not loan you money to buy a house that can't be insured unless you have a 25% down or have paid off that amount. It's not perfect out here regardless of who was in control as we've had many moderate Republicans as Governors and they were fine. As I said before, get good reliable info that applies to your county as each is different as well as the Cities in them.

[@FeScully]

@@kindGSL Interesting. I’m not from the US. It always surprises me how things can be so different from one state to the other. Even things like consumer rights.

[@eleventy-seven]

@@FeScully You would be very very surprised at the differences in both education, health care attitude, lifestyle, culture. I try to not be judgmental as there are good people everywhere. You need to make certain that the areas you pick to visit or live in will be your cup of tea.

[@dkahuna9956]

“Those who don't remember the past are destined to repeat it.” - George Santayana

[@reneemoreno8030]

This was all swamp land originally and wasn't suitable to build on. This is just the beginning of many storms and the antiquated infrastructure isn't up to the stresses.

[@markwilliams5606]

So many years ago. Contractors bought large amounts of swamp land. Filled it in .Then Built cheep house's. Lots of house's. Storms like these. Is a reminder of how much money is worthless. Common Sense 🙏⏳

[@Freaysclaw56]

I’ve lived through hurricanes for 62 yrs. These same questions and issues are raised after every Hurricane. The Federal Govt just finished reassessing the flood insurance risk in Florida. The increased rates caused 49,000 homes to drop their flood insurance. Those that kept the insurance face 2-6% deductibles in addition to their regular deductibles. So the deductible on that $500k house is $10,000+ -$30,000+. The average home in the affected area is $400,000 (North Port) -$730,000 (Sanibel Island). Insurance estimates are $63 billion. The cleanup and rebuild of infrastructure is going to be in the billions across Florida.

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

I keep saying that the government should not keep bailing people out. They CHOOSE to live in failure prone areas and NOT get coverage. They keep saying cost of insurance is too high, but then expect to be bailed out. Build a cheaper home or smarter home or in a different location!

[@ryanfraser167]

Government doesn't bail ppl out, ppl have to ultimately replace their homes themselves.

[@douglasnolen8852]

Yeah that’s not how things work, at most the government will give you temporary shelter. I live in Florida and no one expects a bail out lol

[@scoopdecoop]

I think if you live in Florida a hurricane should be the first thing you factor in. One big reason why I didn’t retire there. Now I live in Australia where we have bushfires! There are not many places you can escape Mother Nature. I lived thru many hurricane warnings and 2 in NY which is not in a hurricane alley. You just never know. The Australian government has just brought in a bill that will ban humans from any bush or coastal land by 2030, so unless that’s what you want be wary of what is being discussed here

[@FLIPPER1439]

The guy who died was more concerned about the BAR being destroyed then he was concerned about himself + wife 😢 THIS IS BEYOND HUMAN COMPREHENSION‼️ I feel bad for his children 😢and pray his wife recovers ✝️😢🙏🧎🏻‍♀️

[@Upper-cr1kh]

Just maybe he couldn't afford to evacuate. 🤡

[@1just4laughs]

Until you remember it's Florida

[@fulanichild3138]

I have to admit, I laughed out loud as he lamented the bar floating down the street.

[@killersugar6816]

@@Upper-cr1kh I’d be he could have afforded to leave. What does a few gallons of gas cost?

[@amy8460]

He was probably in shock and video taped what he saw and his thoughts of it like a lot of other people were doing. Check out other videos. There hasn't been a storm like that in Florida in 100 yrs. His words were truthful and sad. Most videos were angry, understandibly. RIP to him and all of ones who died. Prayers for them all.

[@33Jenesis]

If the gale force wind didn’t take out structures, the surging waves with debris would. I don’t know how houses can be rebuilt against these terrifying natural disasters………

[@jackiepaper101]

The sensible thing to do is return a lot of these areas to nature--mangroves and swamps--but when have governments ever done the sensible thing?

[@prodigiii712]

Hurricane are part of life. The houses will be rebuilt. These people have given up more than 40 percent of their income to the government. Had they not paid income tax over the years they would’ve had enough savings to buy more expensive insurance and rebuild their homes.

[@kimjones2056]

@@jackiepaper101 go ahead and give your land back to nature

[@jackiepaper101]

@@kimjones2056 I don't live in a hurricane zone at sea level, dummy.

[@Chris-kf3xd]

Money money money

[@Chas1160]

Building codes should be strengthened significantly. Perhaps building concrete homes reinforced with steel and thick glass windows with strong shutters that can be locked and secure. If I lost my home, I would cleanup the mess then put the lot up for sale and get the h… out ! There will be plenty of people willing at some point who will move right back.

[@sandramaier2781]

Building codes were strethened after the Cat 5 hurricane Andrew that hit Miami. Codes apply to new construction and renovations and include the items you mentioned and many more.

[@Chas1160]

@@sandramaier2781 well, even upgraded building codes are not a guarantee that one is not going to lose their home. I think this hurricane was the worst in my life time. However, a good solid concrete reinforced structure with 2” glass windows and strong shutters certainly could reduce the damage. The one problem of course would be the cost. If we can go to the moon, we should be able to engineer better structures. However, the human costs are sad, the structures you can deal with in due time. This is going to take a toll on peoples mental health.

[@sandramaier2781]

@@Chas1160 The devastation of this storm is just unprecented, it's shocking! Praying for all of those affected by this storm.

[@Chas1160]

@@sandramaier2781 yes, agreed.

[@kindGSL]

With waves reaching the tops of second floors, then they all also need to be at least three stories tall so that anyone ever trapped in a building has a safe place to retreat to.

[@captainsnyder9056]

It is absolutely disgusting listening to this lady who is obviously making money from reporting on this devastation repeatedly obsessing about how much money this is going to cost taxpayers. Her "bigger picture flying 30,000 feet above, that is public money" comment is about as insensitive as one could possibly get. These people have literally lost everything and she is worried about how it will effect her taxes? Who does she think she is? She is earning her income off of these people's suffering while worrying about having to contribute to their rebuilding. Unbelievable.

[@denisecomeau6847]

Nope-shes absolutely right. She covers more than just hurricane disasters so she earns her pay. the evac was in order and the ones that could leave chose to stay,nope-I have no qualms about NOT wanting to pay for this ridiculus fiasco!!

[@Thing1DadaThing2Kiki]

My FIL built his 7,000sq.ft 3 story home hurricane, tornado and earthquake proof. Oddly its in central KY away from major weather disasters. The walls were 15in thick! I think if I lived in those prone areas I wouldn't be building a regular standard code home! It would be a fortress of concrete. So sad to see all these ppl lose everything. 😢 I used to live in Florida and it's heartbreaking seeing places we loved completely destroyed 💔

[@asheburypress882]

Sure, you could build a fortress… Will it hold up to a yacht thrown into it? Nothing is Mother Nature proof. How long can you last with no/limited power, no/limited clean water, no/limited sewer, no reliable communication, bridges washed out… the section of bridge that washed out in Pensacola took years to fix. The only way I’d own something by the water, is if it wasn’t a primary home, and I could afford to lose it all because it’s almost impossible to get good insurance to cover these types of properties. Good luck collecting if if you had a policy! Sincerely, child of a former Hurricane Hunter.

[@Roselady7]

I think it’s ridiculous so many people value materials so much. Life is fragile. We need to respect Mother Nature. No I don’t think they should rebuild. We’re ruining this world with materials!

[@KailuaChick]

@@Roselady7 I’m from fort myers, born and raised. I agree with you. I think they need to replant the mangroves on the barrier islands, clean up debris, salvage what’s left, and not build anything new.

[@joannewsome5202]

Have you seen the flattened trailer parks? Then I saw a whole community of Manufactured .homes that are all damaged! People paid a lot of $ for those homes & thought they were safe. Remember, most of the damage from .Ian wasn’t wind damage, it was from the storm surge - water damage. I have relatives in .North Port - not on the water but they still have about 2’ of water all around. It smells bad because there’s sewerage, dead animals, etc. all contributing to bacteria making it stink. Water-logged furniture,cars, building materials all exposed & getting moldy which has its own perfume. I can’t imagine the cleanup. Where will they put it all?

[@lil_Marie_Red]

I believe the Miami code. (which was created around 1997) is one of the best codes around and continiuosly gets updated. A lot of these bldgs that failed were built before the Miami code. Dont assume we have a bad code. A lot of is wind code and/or elevated for water surge as per FEMA map requirements. If it gets damage more than 50%. It has to be rebuilt to the code. Not repaired. I actually have a wind map for the County I live in. Ex. The Window Co. Has to install windows accordingly to where the house is within that Wind map. Coastal would have to use the better windows. FEMA has their own maps and that determines if you need flood insurance

[@MadDragon76]

Would you ask people in LA if they plan on rebuilding after an earthquake?

[@FollowingtheCliffNotes]

@@jeunebug it’s called insurance and every area in the US has natural disasters sooo good luck finding a place with 0 risk.

[@jlgro2065]

Maybe Ukraine

[@MadDragon76]

@@FollowingtheCliffNotes Flood insurance in Florida is reinbersed by federal tax dollars with no obligation or incentive to relocate.

[@ralphholiman7401]

I think at some point, we are going to have to start having the conversation about whether or not to continue to build residences on these low lying barrier islands. And, I hate that, because I love living on the coast.

[@mindbodyfitness99]

Lock and load! You go, girl!❤

[@leesadoe2440]

yes. they should rebuild. the last thing we need is for them all to come to Ca like most usually do. The state of Florida needs to do their part to help their people. period

[@denisecomeau6847]

Nope. CA is another place to stay away from-between wild fires-hurricanes, earthquakes and gov. corruption-thats the next place thats gonna get hit real good.....and we dont wanna pay for those disasters either...

[@leesadoe2440]

@@denisecomeau6847 you are smart. however ,seems like the worst come to Ca from other states. Mostly bums that want free everything and want to make California even worse than it ever was. and of course they get what they want . we have a serious problem here with the leaders in charge needless to say.....

[@patriot9455]

I live near a river in Kansas. Flood insurance is almost 1/3 of a years house payments, and still has strict limits. I can not imagine Florida is in a better situation. On a real note, we can not afford flood insurance, it is a risk we have not got the finances to cover it, and out house is almost 75 years old.

[@danestrenton]

From what I've heard, at least in Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers Beach, flood insurance costs almost as much as a house does on other parts of the country. Which is why so many of them didn't have flood insurance either

[@patriot9455]

@@danestrenton In a financial situation like Florida and hurricanes, paying 200,000.00 for flood insurance makes no sense. what makes sense is having a savings account able to rebuild your home and replace most, if not all of the possessions in it.

[@shawnalleman7535]

Good for that brave woman armed and protecting her neighborhood! Disgusting there wasn't more officials there to protect the island from looters!

[@j.103]

Where do you think these officials are supposed to come from? You want to volunteer, I m sure they could use you….

[@d.h.4778]

What do you think most of those looters are looting? Electronics were ruined. Homes were destroyed. What would they be looting and where would they be taking it back to? Besides necessities that they can’t even pay for right now because there is not electric or anything open. They need to eat and also can’t get to the shelters. Come on. Seriously. Think into it. These are real people who just barely made it through a disaster and now are just trying to survive until they can get help.

[@jlmann8109]

So you think it’s more important to protect material goods against looters than to keep human life protected and evacuate.

[@tarottimewithandie]

No. Should not rebuild. It seems to get worse as time marches on. Sadly I have no confidence in Mother Nature right now cooperating with man’s ambitions and dreams.

[@la-km_3828]

Thank you Ashleigh…excellent coverage. Brian please stay safe!!! 🙏🏻💙🖤

[@Minniehime]

Thank u for protecting the community Be safe

[@FREEDOM195844]

It wasn’t just the coast! All through Florida there was incredible damage and flooding! Places that had never flooded before.

[@dcwatashi]

So? It was just a matter of time.

[@princesativa8191]

"Ok we're terrified" should be the climate change slogan goin forward Rest in peace to that poor man..

[@killersugar6816]

It’s never a problem until it’s too late.

[@Alittlelsdy]

Floridian here…It was legit in the low to mid 60s during and after the hurricane. HECK the weather has been lovely since. Prior it was upper 80s-90s. Idk the hurricanes definitely are bad lately. Yet idk if I’d call it global warming.

[@josh19852008]

@@Alittlelsdy the storm was over water for a very long time…… Katrina blows this out if the water easily. The one that hit Texas was just a very slow moving storm. Global warming is a factor, but those mentioned have little to do with global warming.

[@timmy48374]

This has nothing to do with climate change. Hurricanes have alsways been, and will always be. This one was strong and happened to hit at exactly the wrong angle, in exactly the wrong spot, and at exactly the wrong time, while also moving slowly.

[@josh19852008]

@@timmy48374 I don’t think it moved that slow. Everything else is spot on. The storm itself was massive, due to being over water for so long. The one that hit Texas a few years ago moved far slower, and heavy rain. No mention of that though… just right to “it’s global warming”.

[@ehrashkae6343]

people had better stop building homes out of wood and starting building them out of materials like poured concrete, or even printed concrete. Building a concrete home on stilts is one thing, but they need to build their car ports on stilts as well.

[@jeanbarnette7096]

Some people never read the 3 little pigs 🤷‍♀️

[@KeepItSimpleSailor]

Or maybe just move out of storm surge areas?

[@dcwatashi]

@@KeepItSimpleSailor I can’t believe that we American taxpayers and our wonderful federal government are going to continue paying to fix these areas up enabling these morons to build again. How many hurricanes do they need to have before they realize this isn’t a place where you should be living especially right next to the water

[@MAHAOMSALMAN]

I am not from the US but in my country we build our homes from concrete even though we don’t have hurricanes or earthquakes..

[@MadDragon76]

Concrete manufacturing is part of what is making the storms worse in the first place.

[@kathymcmullen6093]

May they all rest in peace. Prayers for all in this horrible situation.

[@bc5891]

Any place that suffered storm surge not river flooding, rain flooding etc only storm surge should not be rebuilt and turned into barriers to prevent future storm surge.

[@Lady_Monet]

I believe these razed areas should only be built back with commercial and recreational facilities to very high standard building codes for tourist purposes. Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa should be updating evacuation plans as that area is at extreme risk.

[@Hayyyward]

Exactly. These areas were already natural buffers before we came in and destroyed them. People have destroyed more of Florida than any storm ever has. And the development continues. ~smh~

[@ryanfraser167]

A lot of homeowners buy these homes as second homes knowing they can afford to rebuild...

[@ryanfraser167]

@@Lady_Monet so only rich ppl get to access...

[@sueparras6028]

@@Hayyyward you have finally hit the target! People caused most of the damage by destroying the natural landscape. Now they're complaining because Mother Nature got pissed off. ✌🇨🇦👍💯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@outlier-records]

No. As it’ll keep happening and we need the country to spend smarter money in smarter places and spaces

[@jeanbarnette7096]

The barrier ISLANDS should be protected, state parks, no residents or business

[@ryanfraser167]

So they can just be looked at from afar and only rich ppl can visit.

[@jeanbarnette7096]

@@ryanfraser167 no anyone can go to a state park.

[@PhotoDesigner1]

16 Florida GOP Representatives voted AGAINST funding FEMA ... Now they're out lobbying for compassion.

[@Llovelylady1]

And they should run ads on tv in every state reminding people of their stupidity.

[@normacolon9618]

Bet u most were Republican and florida is mostly Republican State.

[@PhotoDesigner1]

@@normacolon9618 ... ALL were Republican.

[@gevowavemagnet]

Slowly but surely, the snakes and alligators are "taking their country back".

[@karaDee2363]

I feel extremely bad about all those people affected by the hurricane... But I do not like the idea of taxpayers bailing out insurance companies that cannot pay their policy holders... The government should not allow any insurance company to operate that does not have enough capital to cover all their policyholders during times of a natural disaster.... Because if they can't, then it's just a scam to get money from you with no intention of honoring your policy...

[@nolawarren3560]

It's always going to be about the money.

[@g_mason8867]

Well of course

[@surgicaltechcrafter2169]

No, my personal opinion, they should not rebuild any homes on beaches. Beach living should be by camper or boat so you can move it out when these conditions arise. So many people refuse to leave and want to "ride it out" I have wanted to live on the Gulf, Fort Myers to be exact, forever, and the only way I will is by camper. For this exact reason. How many people are living there that can not afford the insurance, how many do not have insurance? but by golly they have a HOUSE on the beach. It's very sad to see the devastation but something needs to change! Stop building on the beaches, or if you have no insurance or if you refuse to leave there should be no assistance to help rebuild. I'm sorry but it's common sense. It's always a matter of WHEN it's going to happen. Hurricanes are a GIVEN! If you build it, its is your responsibility 100% no insurance, no funding. PERIOD! I don't live on the water and it should not be my responsibility to go to work everyday for you to rebuild your luxury I do not have because I have common sense.

[@jamesjacocks6221]

There can be a downside to waiting for official orders. As to the title, I wonder if we would want to recover our real estate or just go homeless or downscale elsewhere? Living on the shoreline has its risks but it is human nature to discount the downside to lifestyle. Florida already has a housing crisis and huge amounts of money sunk (!) into shore real estate has not heeded the obvious: that the shore should be for everyone and not auctioned off to the highest bidder. That is what is happening everywhere in our "unconcern for others" system.

[@joannewsome5202]

Not on beachfronts. Trailers should be outlawed. No one ever survives in a trailer. Canal homes should be stopped. People need to live away from the water & move inland. More money has been wasted on rebuilding homes on Sanibel, Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte etc. I don’t think anyone is planning for these storms which are only getting worse.

[@stevenpandemonium]

As ridiculous as this may sound I think they should consider more of the manufactured homes. Storm surge took out brick and mortar buildings as well as the manufactured housing. With manufactured housing I would guess probably within 3 months a manufactured park/neighborhood would be back up and living. And if you're going to build a brick and mortar home that'll probably take at least a year. There's nothing that can be built that's going to stop storm surge.

[@paulineweber9331]

Short answer is no. If they do, we shouldn't bail them out. All it does is incentivize those greedy real estate moguls and dumb buyers.

[@Lady_Monet]

Hurricane coverage use to have a 10% or more deductible several years ago. My question is: Does a hurricane policy cover the storm surge? Many homes endured the winds but were up to the roof in water. I am just curious about the technicalities of hurricane policies. Thoughts and prayers for this situation.

[@lil_Marie_Red]

No. My policy has Wind. But no water. Thats a seperate policy. I have a small hm. i have 2 deductables. 2500 for regular stuff and wind deductable I think is 2% or 5%. I have to re read it. in my case about 2200 deductable. Like if a tree hit my house. Not sure about rain only. That policy is $3200 a year. Went up 1500 this year. For a small home. Flood is about the same. If u are in a flood zone w mortgage, its required. I am zone D. So not required. My mortgage payment went up $300 a month last yr. Its a hardship. My income didnt go up. I used to live by water. We had 3 policies. Insurance escrow was higher than mortgage on that house. We had to sell it. WEEKI WACHEE.

[@Lady_Monet]

@@lil_Marie_Red Thanks for the answer. I left FL after Charley, and I was in Polk County. I believe the enture insurance system needs an overhaul as more catastrophic damage is occurring in many states.

[@theirmom4723]

Nope...you must take out another policy, at least here on the Coast of Tx on your home owners called rising water, then you also need flood insurance on top of that. Windstorm only covers water damage from wind driven rain...so when things like this happen, your policy holders will drag their feet arguing over if you water damage was wind driven, rising water, or basic flood....fun times...We live here on the coast b/c it is where the jobs are. Been here 57 years and if I could get the h*ll off this coast I would!

[@chrisccc22]

It is common knowledge that Florida will eventually be under water. There will not be any coverage within 10 years. Payouts will be next to impossible on this one.

[@Kordiana]

I already have heard of families getting denied any coverage because they didn't have specific flood insurance. They weren't in a flood plane and were almost an hour from the beach, and two hours roughly from where the hurricane landed. There just that much rain dropped. So I forsee a lot of people losing everything with no help in any way financially. Especially those that weren't near were the hurricane hit.

[@unitedwestanddividedwefall2073]

It's a shame people that have lived in Florida for so many years still have no idea how bad a hurricane can become & risk everything to stay, it just blows my mind, that just shows how crazy people are.

[@mark-remanHamilton]

Hurricanes will get worse. The future is no survivors in areas like this.

[@kennyparis8742]

Don't worry, the sky is falling anyway

[@intheknow7659]

Bullseye effect. It is what makes these worse. Mitch was 180mph deeper pressure, Irma at peak strength was stronger, and Dorian. There have been big ones years ago. However as population increases, effects are worse, thus the bullseye effect.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

@@intheknow7659 It is true the casualties are potentially higher with more people living these vulnerable areas. There is more than one way to measure how hurricanes have become more severe then in the past than just wind speed. For one because global warming is warming the oceans hurricanes are becoming larger. Larger storms create more storm surge over a larger area that also lasts longer. And because the atmosphere holds more moisture as it warms these hurricanes drop more precipitation then in the past. Remember Hurricane Harvey 2017? Probably not, but it dropped a record 51 inches on Houston. Second, the warmer ocean water also can cause a hurricane to ramp up to a major hurricane much faster. Ian ramped up from a Cat 3 to almost a Cat 5 in a few hours.

[@intheknow7659]

@@michaeldeierhoi4096 Yes and bombogenesis is not isolated to hurricanes. Nor'easters see that rapid intensification even while those storms are over cold water. There is more to hurricane strengthening and weakening than "global warming". This hurricane caused flooding over a broad area because of wind direction. The south to southeast winds caused costal flooding from the Keys all the way north to where the wind was not conducive to flooding. Pressure has an effect on flooding as well. This storm has the perfect track to flood many areas as the wind direction allowed it. I have seen above normal tides with a south wind in SW Florida before, in fact I've seen the roads flood in one area just from a strong south wind. It causes water damming and that is not isolated to hurricanes. What made this storm bomb out was conditions, it surprised many because it was going up against things that normally can weaken or keep the storm from strengthening. However there have been opposite conditions. Where a storm weakens and was a surprise. Micheal when it made landfall was 919mb, it became a cat 5 at landfall as well. But if we go back in time, Camille was the strongest to hit land in the US. Donna hit SW florida in 64, 180+mph was recorded at the missle tracking station on Marco Island. Andrew was as bad as this in 92. The first billion dollar storm was Hurricane Fifi in 1974. Hurricane Mitch was 180mph in 1998, with a pressure of 905mb. I came across an article once, where they found sand in inland lakes in Florida, was up around the panhandle. They were quite a ways inland. These deposits were very very old, suggesting storms that made many modern storms look small. It's not that storms are getting stronger, its the way people handle things. Kind of like Covid, the sky fell then and social media doesn't help with spreading false information.

[@amymbeauty8765]

@@intheknow7659 You make a lot of good points, things are not always so simple as to just chock it up to global warming. Most of the time, there are many other factors that play a part that many people fail to recognize, because they want an easier explanation. Thank you for the info, It was helpful in making me see a bigger picture. I do firmly believe in global warming, but I also believe that most the time it's human folly in situations like this, where there should have never been development in coastal flatlands and barrier islands. I also think that the world has natural cycles that we think we know, but in reality we haven't even broken the surface of understanding how this world works. So when we don't understand things changing, the easy answer is to say human caused global warming, when in reality it's most likely earth's natural cycles.

[@bigiron5508]

Well I'm not going anywhere, love my Florida....Florida strong and proud.

[@kimjones2056]

Way to go Emily, you have a right to protect your property.

[@rwjazz1299]

hard time getting into a home that is no longer there. ??? why would you rebuild again ???

[@sueparras6028]

If they choose to rebuild in the same places then they should have to build hurricane resistant homes and buildings. Also insurance will obviously be extremely expensive and difficult to get. It's becoming increasingly obvious that this will happen again so they will be taking the chance of losing everything again. Doesn't really make sense to rebuild in the same place but you know that they will.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

Florida’s building codes already require new buildings to be able to withstand the strongest hurricane-force winds, but many buildings were built before that portion of the code was adopted.

[@wilpotocki2453]

God bless everyone affected by Ian. Hope you can get your lives back to normal. I can't imagine living with the horor if losing a loved one and everything you own. Read about Babcock Ranch 12 miles from where the hurricane came in. The streets are made to flood, electric and internet are buried, they get their power from solar. The houses were built to the newer codes. BUT I doubt the low income or elderly can afford to move.

[@marysol9042]

Rebuild somewhere else! I have seen hurricanes in Fl on tv since I was a child. I always asked why don’t they all have concrete homes? Well I was told that FL is land fill and the weight would just sink it. So honestly anyone desiring beachfront property should build on a solid rock and not too close to the water. Now concrete is good but when the ground shakes, I sleep outside in a hammock 😂

[@ToIsleOfView]

No taxpayer money for these victims. It's a free country and people can waste their money on anything they like but no more handouts!

[@americandelusion]

That area was marsh land and should never have been built on, do not rebuild there, stop waisting taxpayer money, take responsibility

[@DorianPaige00]

Just don't cover a rebuild.

[@ravenrpg3865]

so California is built on a fault line so does that mean everyone in Cali should find housing elsewhere?

[@Upper-cr1kh]

But you have no problem sending Puerto Rico aid 🤡

[@mawi1172]

@@Upper-cr1kh puerto rico is 3 million. Do you want another 3 million puerto ricans flooding the US? PICK your battles dumkoff.

[@mawi1172]

@@Upper-cr1kh you're the clown.

[@Darkmattermonkey77]

I said the same thing after hurricane Katrina. Some cities that keep getting destroyed, shouldn’t be rebuilt over and over and over again. Stupid to live where it happens.

[@carlos19901821]

It’s paradise that’s why we rebuild everytime

[@steves659]

People have to be responsible for their choices ... he chose to stay and I understand there is a curiosity to watch the storm but there is a risk ... same with the insurance matter ... many chose to pocket the money and not buy insurance and that is the choice BUT in America people want freedom without responsibility ... if they took the risk sadly they need to work it out. Government should not continually bail people out ... help absolutely but not be the 'savior' ...

[@normacolon9618]

Govt never gives u enough or tiur total loss. There is always a loss.

[@J_NYC]

Devastating 🙏praying for all the families that lost a loved one and all the families that lost everything 🙏

[@kristybell5671]

Rebuild differently

[@mannylopez15986]

Yes, concrete.

[@DorianPaige00]

Individual private citizens will make that decision but there's enough community planning and national park advocates in Florida and don't get them started.

[@conniepritchardreinhardt9978]

We got flooded twice in our little town in Iowa. Told we had to move out they made it into a park. We got nothing compared to what our homes were worth. So treat everyone in USA the same. Make it a park!

[@cece5612]

My heart breaks for Mitch and his family

[@freeheeler09]

The photos and videos of the devastated areas in Florida very clearly show one thing. The hotels and homes and businesses are only a few feet above sea level. Not one state, federal or donated dollar should be used to rebuild in low lying areas along coastlines. And, even if private dollars are used, our federal and state tax dollars will be used for infrastructure and rescues. That said, I think we should help people move away from flood and fire prone areas, once. The US is broke because corporations and the rich no longer pay taxes. All we spend tax money on anymore is the military. We can't afford to keep rebuilding in areas that continually flood and burn.

[@tinaworley5584]

I am not sure, if those that did evacuate call a number like 211, upon re-entering, to find out if their house is damaged or in tact?

[@ggjohnson5754]

No. From now on all these billion dollar damaged locations should not be allowed to rebuild. Talking straight destroyed not just flooded.

[@FLIPPER1439]

Hello 👋 apparently you’ve not been down to West Coast after IAN🌀⁉️ There is absolutely NO WALL that can stop this kind of serge‼️

[@dcwatashi]

Stop, maybe not but definitely lessen the blow. And if anyone is stupid enough to build in that area again has themselves to blame

[@gailedmonds9107]

No I don't think Florida should be able to rebuild. It's too far gone. These hurricanes are starting to be an every year thing now. If you build it should be at your own risk.....no insurance. How many hurricanes do you have to go through before you learn??? Just like living in tornado alley......no way!!! You can have it all.

[@tnut3305]

Yes can build there but you have to make your home hurricane proof. So you gotta be rich$$.

[@carlos19901821]

There’s destruction 120 miles inland there was no chance for anyone

[@tnut3305]

@@carlos19901821 sure there is damage but you don’t see houses off their foundation anywhere except along the coastal/waterway towns.

[@amystaggs5303]

My heart breaks for these fellow Americans. I am just so sorry. we love you and are praying for you

[@denisemontgomery7169]

I was taught at a young child when the Federal and State Government says it won't be bad you run like hell

[@anniescott6330]

Should never allow mobile homes to be put there, mobile homes should be placed only in areas are safe ....l had family in Katrina and lost everything, I went to help all I could, my heart pained for the people who lost everything and just walked around in a dase... I pray with all my heart for all these people in Florida and other states who are also suffering... I pray that Jesus has mercy on everyone....

[@Webtrekker1]

It probably costs less to replace a mobile home than it does to remediate a house that was inundated by water.

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

You know, Katrina happened right after governments were trying to divide Israel and guess what? So did Ian.

[@anniescott6330]

@@beatrixbrennan1545 Amen

[@petraalejo7883]

There shouldn't be homes so near to the coast.

[@saul.t.2.969]

Ashleigh thank you for such a great show. I do not think people should be able to rebuild, if the space is suspected of being taken over again by climate change. Rebuild once, but not in predicted area where you are likely to be over taken again!

[@kimjones2056]

So when your house is destroyed don’t rebuild

[@benjaminwright5936]

@@kimjones2056 Don't rebuild using other people's money.

[@jradcliffe4968]

Very foolish to build or buy in these high risk zones . Go figure !

[@Indomitablespirit108]

yes, they should rebuild even closer to the Beach

[@beverleyhurlston3019]

Is this sarcasm?😳

[@justaskuksta7916]

It just proved, we only prepared for war. Not for a natural disasters. And when peoples needs help, its not there. and this is happening around the world. When do we grow up?