Will Hurricanes Drive Away Florida’s Retirees?

Florida is known as a retirement destination, particularly for people from New York and other northern states. But stronger and more destructive hurricanes pose a threat to many of its communities, writes Will Peischel in Curbed, and some adult children of retirees are urging their parents to leave flood risk zones and move to safer areas.

Many are digging in, reluctant to leave the life they’ve built for their golden years. But polling indicates not everyone is so sure. “While Floridians were recovering from the damage Hurricane Ian left in 2022, an electricity company called Payless Power polled hundreds of transplants to the state. The survey showed that 38 percent of respondents regretted moving there, and only one-third felt safe in the aftermath of the storm.”

When considering indirect causes of mortality, hurricanes and tropical storms account for as much as 13 percent of Florida’s deaths. “Beyond the immediate effect hurricanes can have, they create vast insurance headaches, lower quality of life as recovery occurs, and leave a profound sense of uncertainty for the six-month stints when they occur.”