Fort Myers Beach residents struggling to rebuild after Milton

Fort Myers Beach has grappled with the idea of building up. The town's leaders and residents said a face-lift is necessary, but not everyone can afford it.

[martywheat]

Stop building on the water problem solved

[gary]

Why are my federal taxes paying for this again.
New state park for the whole thing.

[cosmothewonderdog]

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.

[marciasken]

Zero empathy for folks that keep expecting my insurance or tax contributions to keep subsidizing selfishness.

[kennixox]

Unfortunately, the way that lady is building even though it will be elevated is not sufficient. You will need deep concrete pilings, robust poured concrete piers to elevate the house above "most" severe storm surges and unfortunately, just the foundation work will far exceed the price most can afford.

[PhilipKicelemos]

STOP BUILDING ON THAT SAND BAR FT - MYERS NEEDS TO DESIGNATE THAT BEACH A STATE PARK . NO MORE CONSTRUCTION !!

[ronbelanger]

Perhaps building right on the coast is wrong? Fools and their money....

[bobbyc]

This is quite literally the definition of insanity.

[mikecasto]

move and don’t look back for chrissakes you don’t want to spend your final years laying sheet rock.

[RedMartin]

Hey, I got a solution for you. Stay away from the water and leave it to us people and stop hogging it for yourself.

[farcanal]

its not their fault they're rich is one of the weirdest explanations yet

[jasoncrandall]

Older ground level homes along a coastline that gets Tropical Storms is not a good idea no more. Florida unfortunately needs to change to minimize future losses.

[arthurbb]

The sea is an uncontrollable monster and its beauty is only trumped by its anger. What makes anyone think living yards away from the unpredictable shore is a good idea?

[Poordirtfarmer]

Poor folks got to go so the rich can move in 😮

[MMCUSN]

One of the many reasons why my family left FLA back in the late seventies and never looked back. We would rather deal with cold winters than with Hurricane season every year.

[auburnjewels]

Before Hurricane Ian, most of the structures on Ft. Myers Beach (including motels) were old wood shacks...on a barrier island in hurricane prone Florida. They were always one hurricane away from total destruction. No surprises. Like the reporter said, most people left. Why? Because they couldn't afford to rebuild to code. The few that remain will eventually leave. I hated Ft. Myers Beach because it was too trashy. Hopefully, it will be worth visiting when they rebuild.

[sharonknight]

I miss the original Florida where my home state was not over developed. An the. State has not been respected or developed
Properly

[matthewm]

Fort Myers native, born at Lee Memorial hospital 36 years ago. SO GLAD i got my family out of there and up to TN a few years ago. Never looked back.

[TheAtroShow]

I used to go there every weekend for 20 years. It will be underwater.

[fpm]

Oh cmon boomers. Sell your property, realize your millions of equity you’ve gained and liver somewhere else. Life goes on. Barrier islands aren’t static.