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Southwest Florida had an affordable housing shortage. Hurricane Ian made it worse.

Nov 22, 2022
Lee County in Southwest Florida, where the storm made landfall, still faces monumental challenges housing people displaced by the storm.
About a month after Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers, piles of debris lined the streets. "That has all of their drywall, carpeting, all their cabinets, beds and everything," said Gladys Cook at the Florida Housing Coalition. "There’s thousands of people in that situation.”
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

Florida cultural institutions are recovering from Hurricane Ian alongside homes and businesses

Nov 7, 2022
Damage along Florida's southwest coast includes museums and theaters that plan to rebuild.
The Venice Theatre suffered major damage from Hurricane Ian's winds and heavy rain, leaving collapsed walls and flooding in the main stage area at the rear of the building, which was built in 1926.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

For the first time, homeless victims of a hurricane will be eligible for federal aid

Oct 31, 2022
In the past, aid's been reserved for people who lose their homes, not those who've already lost them.
An excavator is used to clear debris left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 06, 2022 on San Carlos Island, Florida.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

"Our whole life is in this house": Florida residents begin recovery after Hurricane Ian

Oct 14, 2022
The economic damage from Hurricane Ian could exceed $100 billion.
An aerial view of a neighborhood in North Port, Florida, in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Oct. 1.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

How SNAP expands to help after a natural disaster

Oct 5, 2022
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, helps people access food aid or replace groceries damaged by disasters like Hurricane Ian.
Though Florida residents can seek free water and food through volunteer services, they can also apply for emergency food assistance through SNAP.
Giorgio Vera/AFP via Getty Images

It's harder to keep sewage systems working in a low-lying place like Florida when power's out

Oct 5, 2022
Florida's wastewater system relies on electric pumps. Keeping them going through storms can be expensive.
Camper trailers and vehicles are still partially submerged by floodwaters at the Peace River Campground on October 4, 2022 in Arcadia, Florida.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Buyer beware: some used vehicles coming on the market could have been flooded in Hurricane Ian

Oct 3, 2022
Experts say it is worth looking up a car's history before buying.
A car sits in floodwater after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

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How do we make roads and bridges more resilient?

Sep 30, 2022
As climate change causes more destruction, the upfront costs of upgrading infrastructure may pay off in the long run.
Major bridges in Florida were destroyed by Hurricane Ian, including the Sanibel Causeway, above. The damage cut off thousands of residents from the mainland.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Delayed relief shipments to Puerto Rico rekindle debate over a century-old shipping law

Sep 30, 2022
The Jones Act requires that only U.S. ships carry goods between U.S. ports. It also raises costs in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
People waited to get gasoline in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 20. A temporary waiver of the Jones Act is allowing new fuel shipments to be delivered.
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images

Much of the damage from Hurricane Ian will be from flooding, but will homeowners be covered?

Sep 30, 2022
Regular homeowner's insurance policies don't cover water damage from storm surge, or flood waters from the ground up.
In this aerial view, cars sit in floodwater near downtown after Hurricane Ian on Sept. 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Gerardo Mora/Getty Images