Flooding is quickly transforming U.S. coastal communities into expensive construction zones, where the future of housing appears to depend on their elevation. The New York Times reports on the story of a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida, who faced this harsh reality.
When Meghan Martin and her husband moved into a picturesque 1950s home, they had initially given up on raising it, discouraged by the costs, which exceeded the property’s value.
After two devastating floods and just as many repairs, the couple decided to invest $375,000 to build an elevated foundation. The woman stated that they didn’t want to leave, adding with some regret that they should have acted sooner.
Raising a house is not just an engineering feat but also a financial and psychological investment. According to Albert Jasuwan, an industry expert in Tampa Bay, prices can reach astronomical figures: a typical home in the “Sunshine State” can cost up to $400,000. Despite assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through loans or grants, bureaucratic processes and limited funds discourage many.
The consequences of these decisions are visible in neighborhoods like Meyerland, Houston, where hundreds of buildings have been abandoned or transformed into elevated structures. The few remaining homes at ground level now seem like an anomaly in a landscape dominated by residences raised up to 10 feet.
The increasing frequency of storms linked to climate change is shaping a new reality. In St. Petersburg, homes with raised foundations have become the norm, although not everyone can afford the intervention. Hannah Rebholz, who oversees flood-prone areas of the city, pointed out the challenges of the process, saying they did not want to give people false hopes.
Changes in Martin’s neighborhood are noticeable. Many low-lying buildings have been sold to wealthier buyers, ready to build modern, flood-resistant homes. However, the area will never be the same, and with an increasingly uncertain future, the only direction seems to be upward.
