What happens after a hurricane forces a family out of their home for a year, only for them to return to a new threat?
In Cape Coral, Florida, one family says that is exactly where they stand, with a deteriorating seawall behind their house endangering the property.
Here’s what to know
According to Gulf Coast News, Marsha Berg cares for her 88-year-old mother, Lois, at the home on Southeast 13th Terrace. The family’s ordeal dates back to Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The storm seriously damaged the house, including causing black mold, and the family spent a year living elsewhere while covering temporary housing costs.
Now, a separate danger has emerged behind the home. The seawall is giving way, with large holes visible and nearby ground sinking. The home’s deck is “on the verge of collapsing,” the outlet reported.
“You have to have the money to be able to fix it. And if you don’t, then you’re kind of screwed,” Marsha Berg told Gulf Coast News. “… At one time we had tried to get stones to put it in there, but they ended up washing it away.”
More background
Berg said the damage was not covered by homeowner’s insurance, and because the seawall is on private property, the city is unable to step in.
Marsha has undergone a liver transplant, while her husband is a disabled veteran, making repairs difficult to manage.
“She won’t leave. It’s her home. And I have to do it for her,” Berg said of her mother.
Where can I learn more?
Across Florida, other homeowners are dealing with similar pressures.
• One storm-hit homeowner said an $8,000 payout on a $300,000 policy left rebuilding in limbo.
• In Southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch endured Ian while nearby communities lost power and homes.
• Across South Florida, rising seas are worsening flooding and sinking neighborhoods.
• On Florida’s coast, one reinforced home offered a glimpse of stronger storm protection.
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