When floodwaters entered Glenn Miller’s garage in St. Pete Beach, he quickly turned to his linen closet. After Hurricane Helene soaked his towels, he reached for his shop vac. But when the vacuum failed and floated away, he and his wife decided it was time to leave the home they had just built two years prior in Florida.
The floodwaters rose four feet that night. With their two dogs, they moved to the higher ground of their living space as the surge retreated after midnight. Miller described the aftermath as a nuisance—ruined furniture and soaked family photos—but the chaos of Helene made him rethink their retirement plans.
Since then, they’ve put their home on the market and found a new place in St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast, which is over 20 feet above sea level. “We don’t want to be here for the next storm,” he explained.
Experts are warning about a potential exodus from coastal communities like theirs. With future hurricanes and rising sea levels expected, more than 5 million Americans could leave high-risk areas by 2025, according to a report by the First Street Foundation.
To prepare for this possible migration, local governments are adopting “managed retreat” strategies. This approach aims to move people and structures away from vulnerable areas. In Florida, this often means properties where the threat of storm damage looms large.
The insurance crisis in the state, coupled with increasingly severe storms, is making it hard for residents to stay. Although federal grants are available for those wanting to relocate, few have taken advantage of them.
How can you convince people to leave the beautiful beaches they love? That’s a tough question for officials and residents alike.
In the aftermath of consecutive hurricanes, leaders in Tampa Bay have struggled to prevent developments in at-risk areas, often clashing with state policies. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has firmly rejected the idea of forcing property owners to abandon their homes.
Al Hine, a coastal geography expert, is not surprised by this attitude. He has long advocated for coastal management, but he finds that many local officials resist any suggestion to move away from the beach. “We respond to money better than anything else,” he said.
As property taxes rise and hurricanes become increasingly costly, residents are faced with difficult choices. Many may be forced to leave, leaving behind a shrinking community of those who can afford to stay.
Once a lively neighborhood, Pass-a-Grille is slowly becoming quieter as long-time residents move inland. Vivian Fueyo, who returned to her home after evacuating for Hurricane Milton, noticed this change. Even though her home was safe from flooding, she felt the weight of the evolving community and decided to move further inland.
Experts agree that smart planning is essential for Florida’s future. Al Hine points out that by 2100, parts of St. Petersburg could be underwater. Local leaders need to start thinking about how to protect people and infrastructure from climate change.
Recently, St. Petersburg City Council members agreed to buy nearly three acres of land along Salt Creek to help mitigate flooding. Mayor Ken Welch emphasized the need to avoid developing in high-hazard areas, noting that many properties sit in dangerous zones.
In contrast, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has decided not to pursue buyouts, opting instead to focus on improving infrastructure to make neighborhoods more resilient. Yet the reality remains that some areas may become unlivable in just a few decades.
Those who plan to move after a severe hurricane season often find the real estate market flooded with homes for sale. In Shore Acres, hit hard by Hurricane Idalia, over 150 homes were listed shortly after the storm. As the community changes, those who remain feel the uncertainty in the air.
For many residents, the decision to leave or stay is becoming increasingly complex. As Wayne Bailey strolled through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, he pondered what could drive someone to abandon their home. “If it can scare someone like that … I don’t know,” he wondered. “Why would you leave if you feel there’s no future?”
