SIESTA KEY, Florida (Reuters) – Chris Fiore, a resident of Siesta Key, was awaiting the delivery of new household appliances and furniture intended to replace items damaged by Hurricane Helene recent weeks ago. However, following the landfall of Hurricane Milton this week, Fiore found herself using a broom to clear muck and seawater from her ground-floor condominium, a dream home she had acquired four years prior.
Fiore expressed her determination to remain on the island, indicating a two-foot waterline on the wall as evidence of the flood’s reach. She mentioned her plans to invest in hurricane windows and doors to prevent future water intrusion.
This resolve was shared by several other residents of Siesta Key, who spoke to Reuters on Friday. The residents were joined by an influx of cleanup crews and contractors offering roofing and construction services, following the two major hurricanes that hit the area in a span of just two weeks. Although experiencing a collective sense of despair, none of the residents appeared defeated, despite the looming threat of increasingly severe hurricanes in the future.
Pat Hurst, who has lived on Siesta Key with her husband Bill since 2011, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Paradise is still paradise, despite this mess.” Hurst did acknowledge the stress associated with recovering from one hurricane while preparing for another.
The enduring appeal of Siesta Key, even post-hurricane, illustrates why residents choose to stay despite the hazards. The area, reminiscent of a Jimmy Buffett song, features a combination of low-slung homes and three-story condos in pleasant pastel shades, accompanied by a downtown lined with inviting restaurants and bars.
After Hurricane Milton, several blocks inland were covered with fine white beach sand. Homes faced severe damage, with belongings strewn along the roads. Coconuts were uprooted and scattered, while boats were displaced from canals onto land. Debris from Milton was adding to dumpsters still filled with refuse from Helene.
Hurricane Milton, noted as the fifth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane on record, escalated rapidly from a Category 1 to a Category 5 storm in under 24 hours, illustrating a pattern of more powerful storms driven by climate change. By landfall, Milton had lessened to a Category 3 but still resulted in at least 17 fatalities according to media reports.
When asked about rebuilding discussions, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis asserted on Friday that property owners have the right to decide how to manage their properties, stressing that it is not the government’s role to dictate usage or force property disposal.
Florida, despite its vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels due to its low-lying geography, has led the U.S. in population growth since 2021. Florida ZIP codes are heavily represented among the country’s riskiest areas for hurricanes, as assessed by environmental risk consultancy Weather Source. Consequently, property insurance costs in Florida were the highest in the nation, averaging $4,060 in 2023.
Resident Sherry Tom, who moved to Siesta Key from Pittsburgh with her family in 2021, shared concerns about the possibility of future hurricanes but remained committed to staying as long as possible. With plans to rebuild from scratch, Tom expressed a strong sense of belonging to the area.
Marko Radosavljevic, owner of one of Siesta Key’s original homes built by its first developer, Frank Archibald, also reaffirmed his commitment to staying. Despite the recent storm damage, he intends to remain, maintaining that the property’s unique character and “special island vibe” are irreplaceable.
Radosavljevic voiced his refusal to be pushed out by either storm challenges or proposals to replace older homes like his with new hotels.
