These Climate Resistant Florida Communities Weathered 2 Hurricanes – No Problem

October 23, 2024 – Residents of Florida are concerned, rightly, about the hazards of extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. So it was interesting to see how two communities, designed to take whatever Mother Nature can dish out, and located in the center of the storm area, would fare after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Babcock Ranch near Fort Myers, and Hunters Point on Anna Maria Island weathered both storms with almost no damage, flooding, or electrical outages.

Babcock Ranch residents sat out the ‘canes in safety in a designated building for refuge, and were even joined by residents of nearby towns. There was tree damage but no loss of power in either community. Communities like these are proof that with proper planning and strong building codes, people can be safe and property protected, even in the face of the ever increasing risk of climate disasters.The New York Times recently reported on the Babcock Ranch success in its “A Climate Resistant Community Passed Its First Tests” article .

The Hunters Point Blog proudly touted how well that community did in the face of the two giant storms. The difference in outcomes for these communities vs. others in other nearby areas is telling. While lives were lost, power went down for days on end, public infrastructure destroyed, homes demolished and knocked off their foundations, there was no flooding, power losses, or injuries at Babcock Ranch and Hunters Point.

Babcock Ranch is a planned town located northeast of Fort Myers and Cape Coral.  Its structures are built to withstand more than 150-mile-per-hour hurricane force winds. There are areas designed to collect storm surges to prevent flooding. It also claims to be America’s first solar-powered town – designed with a 870-acre solar farm to provide renewable energy. There are several neighborhoods along with shops and offices. A wilderness preserve, hiking and biking paths, greenways and lakes are some of the amenities offered. The entire town is outfitted with fiber optic internet. The town is walkable and there is a shuttle that goes throughout the community and the parks. The median home listing was $425,000 in Oct. 2024, with some going for over $1 million. Here is a link to the town website.

Hunters Point is a luxury community with large condos in separate buildings. Many have private pools. Each home has solar panels that charge backup batteries. The community actually produces more electricity than it consumes. It also has a marina with private slips, and is located on Anna Maria Island, which the development calls one of the last remaining fishing villages on the coast of Florida. The community boasts that each property at Hunters Point is custom tailored to fit the needs of the owner, while simultaneously being an integrated part of the community. Homes are priced at just under $1.5 million.

Consider climate in your retirement decisions

Homes in Babcock Ranch are relatively affordable. Those at Hunters Point are quite expensive. Even if you have to pay more for a home that is somewhat natural disaster proof, that expense is minor compared to what has been experienced by all of the people who lost their homes and belongings to storms in recent years. So many areas of the country are exposed to climate disasters of all types now, from wildfires to earthquakes to hurricanes to floods. It does make sense to research how well any community you consider for retirement can “weather” those risks. A little extra expense is probably a very good investment.

Comments? Have you considered environmental and sustainability factors in your retirement decision? Are you frozen or undecided about what to do about these risks, or crossing off some areas from your possibility lists? Please share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

For further reading:
It’s Crunch Time for Florida Condos

After the Hurricanes: Is There Anywhere Safe to Retire