Habitat for Humanity of Florida is helping build pathways to permanent, affordable homeownership.
Since 2022, Habitat Florida has assisted the Florida affiliate network in responding to two major hurricanes.
After passing through Cuba as a major category 3 hurricane, Ian made landfall in Cayo Costa, Florida on September 28, 2022 around 3 p.m. EST. With windspeeds of 150 mph, it was classified as a high category 4 storm. Although Hurricane Ian made landfall in the same area as Hurricane Charley in 2004, the storm was so large, that Charley could have fit inside the eye of Ian. Hurricane Ian disconnected the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva from the mainland, destroying the Sanibel Causeway. The storm also caused major damage to other bridges and roadways, as well as health facilities, schools, and water infrastructure. Initial assessments show that Hurricane Ian will be the most significant
disaster in the insurance sector in decades with losses estimated near $75 billion. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, it is also estimated that this hurricane caused as much as $1.8 billion in damages to Florida agriculture. Hurricane Ian also took a grave toll on human life, with 127 people reported deceased after the storm, many from drowning and bacterial infections.
On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach, FL in the Big Bend area as a Category 3 storm and caused widespread flooding and power loss in Citrus, Hillsborough, Taylor, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, with Taylor County receiving the worst of the impact.
Habitat for Humanity of Florida, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International and seven affiliates (Lee & Hendry, Charlotte, Arcadia-Desoto, Orlando & Osceola, South Sarasota, Southeast Volusia, and Taylor County) in Florida are engaging in long-term recovery efforts in these communities. These affiliates received severe impact from the storm, ranging from flooding to loss of infrastructure.