A.G. Gancarski
The storm is over, and as Gov. Ron DeSantis sees it, beachfront areas and others damaged by the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton will build back better.
“People had their property. They have a right to do with what they want to do with it. And it is tough when you have two back-to-back storms. No question,” DeSantis said in St. Petersburg.
“The reality is people work their whole lives and work hard to be able to live in environments that are really, really nice. And they have a right to make those decisions with their property as they see fit. It is not the role of government to forbid them or to force them to dispose or utilize their property in a way that they do not think is best for them.”
While the Governor acknowledged the “very tough” impacts of three storms in 13 months on North Florida, where storms hit the Big Bend both last year and this one, he recognizes that “demand to live in a beautiful part of the world” will drive action, as it has before.
“When we had Hurricane Ian. People were like, ‘oh man,’ and that was probably the most significant storm that we’ve had. I mean, Michael was stronger, but Ian was so big. I think the total damage was probably more on that. And a lot of people were saying ‘Oh, you know, are people going to want to live in Southwest Florida?'” DeSantis recalled.
“Within two weeks you had, like, people buying up homes. I mean, people wanted to get down there.”
To sum up: Some Floridians may miss the idea of barrier islands as buffers from storms. But at least for the present, the state government won’t stand in the way of private capital investments in even the most fragile areas.
9 comments
MHDuuuval
October 11, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Florida has always thrived on Chamber of Commerce boomers and hucksters.
The simple way to retreat from the coasts is for the taxpayers not to re-insure or guarantee lots that have flooded. Re-build if you will, but taxpayers should have no part in future disasters.
60 minutes is fake
October 11, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Why don’t you say a word about Kammy’s millions that have invaded the United States. What is that cost to taxpayers?
MHDuuuval
October 11, 2024 at 10:39 pm
Feeble and febrile.
Asylum seekers come and work, pay state and local and sometimes federal taxes, try to avoid getting mixed up with law enforcement, and are less likely statistically to be arrested than native born.
Springfield, Ohio, is like many Rust Belt communities that have lost population over the past few decades. Asylum seekers who move there to work are renting or buying the housing no longer occupied by native born. They are in Springfield legally and do the hard, dirty, dangerous jobs that pay less.
PeterH
October 11, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Capitalism will eventually terminate Gulf barrier island construction.
Gulf storms are fueled by Gulf warm waters. Historically most hurricanes either formed there or are attracted to intensify in the Gulf. At some point banks will stop financing home construction. Soon to follow the banks …… utility companies will not be able to secure the necessary bonding to support electrical, plumbing or road construction or repairs on barrier islands. There are few businesses or individuals who can self-insure coastal real estate.
Coastal living is a luxury in Florida. It won’t last forever.
Frankie M.
October 11, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Where some people see a disaster others see an opportunity. If you want to rebuild in a place prone to flooding in a coastal area insure it yourself.
KathrynA
October 11, 2024 at 4:39 pm
That probably is essentially the case for many homes on the coast already, but why cause so much damage and have the state put so much money into rescue and recovery. It’s crazy that anyone wants to live on the coast anymore even if you have loads of money. Who wants to completely rebuild every year?
Billy Nash
October 11, 2024 at 6:43 pm
If someone chooses to rebuild in these flood prone, hurricane prone areas then they should assume the risk. Building codes should be very stringent but even so, one should not tempt fate. I believe real estate values in all of FL will plummet within 5 years due to the insurance debacle and its current authoritarian regime.
KathrynA
October 11, 2024 at 9:15 pm
I agree–maybe sooner! I wonder why people can put their lives and first responders’ lives at risk due to free choice, but can’t in so many other areas of life in the strange state of Florida?
Tom Palmer
October 12, 2024 at 7:43 am
If zoning and building codes allow it, rebuild. Just don’t ask the taxpayers to subsidize your insurance.
Comments are closed.