A letter from a Florida local
“Why would anyone still live in Florida?”
For the past two weeks, it feels like hurricanes are the only thing anyone can talk about here. As a Florida local who still has power, water, and a home, I recognize how fortunate I am—and with that comes a responsibility to speak up for those who can’t about what it’s really like to live through these moments.
A common sentiment on social media, especially on TikTok, is: “Why would anyone still live in Florida?” It’s a question that, while simple at first glance, overlooks the complexity of the situation. Sure, there’s truth in the criticisms—our government has let corporate interests influence our building codes, allowing construction too close to our shorelines. Yes, many of the most at-risk properties are owned by millionaires who can easily afford to rebuild. But how can we forget about the countless small businesses that line our coastal towns or the working-class families whose livelihoods depend on living close to these waters? Not everyone here is a millionaire with a beachside mansion. Regular people like you and me have built their lives here; for many of us, the ocean has never been something to fear. It’s a part of our daily lives and has long been the source of our comfort and stability despite the geographic vulnerabilities in our area.
When people ask, “Why would anyone still live in Florida?” it’s often followed by the suggestion that everyone should pack up and move inland. But if we challenge that argument, we quickly realize it’s not as straightforward or practical as it sounds. Let's take the islands, for example. What about Puerto Rico? In 2017, it was devastated by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that took over 3,000 lives, leaving those who survived in a struggle to recover that continues to this day. Where exactly should the 3.2 million residents of Puerto Rico go?
Many, if not all, islands in the Caribbean face the same challenges. Most are still recovering from previous storms and have fewer resources to rebuild. Even though some are still politically tied to larger nations like the United States, France, or the UK, they are frequently left to fend for themselves when disaster strikes. Cuba deals with shortages of basic necessities even on a good day. Haiti—whose history is marked by continual exploitation and interference—is constantly fighting an uphill battle, even when not in the face of a natural disaster. Suggesting that all these people simply “move inland” is not only laughable but impractical and deeply dismissive of the challenges those living in these regions face.
Even if, in an ideal world, everyone living in these hurricane-prone areas could permanently evacuate, where would they go? The harsh truth is that no place is truly safe from the consequences of climate change. We’ve seen—I hope you’ve seen—what happened in Western North Carolina and Tennessee. These areas, far from any coastline, were considered safe havens. Yet, they have experienced devastating floods that wiped entire towns off the map. People who thought they were out of harm’s way now find themselves without power, food, or water and living under the constant threat of landslides. These disasters weren’t predicted by any weather model or radar—just like the next ones won’t be.
We live in a world where extreme weather events will no longer be uncommon. Whether hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, or droughts, no one is immune to the impacts of a rapidly changing climate.
Some may then ask, “Why didn’t you just evacuate if you knew it was coming?”. We shouldn’t have to remind you evacuating isn’t as simple as packing up and heading out on a road trip, and we can all agree even that comes with proper planning. If you know anything about Florida, you know that when an evacuation is called, there’s only one direction to go: north. Our highways and interstates become gridlocked, moving slowly or maybe not moving at all, and often, there’s no gas left to make it out of there. Even 130 miles inland, where I live, gas stations are struggling to keep up. Again, it's not just about jumping in the car—many people have large families, pets, or elderly relatives. Hotels and Airbnbs are full of families who have already been displaced and are still struggling to find permanent housing after Hurricane Helene. People’s vehicles have been damaged or destroyed; the same can be said for rental cars. Evacuating is expensive, logistically difficult, and often dehumanizing. Imagine leaving behind everything you’ve ever worked for, knowing it may not be there when you return.
For those of us not in evacuation zones, staying in our homes is the best option. Yes, it’s uncomfortable when the power goes out, clean water becomes scarce, and our everyday routines are disrupted. Still, the responsible thing to do is prepare, hunker down, and hope to survive—clearing the way to welcome those in evacuation zones, should they choose to evacuate, because they also deserve the hope of survival.
Hurricanes and other natural disasters will continue to become more frequent and intense. As we navigate the consequences of our actions, we need to stop pointing fingers at those who stay in vulnerable areas and start asking how we, as a society, can better support them. How can we improve infrastructure to withstand storms? How can we ensure that evacuations are feasible for everyone, not just those with the means to leave? How can we address the root causes of these disasters, from the unchecked development of coastal areas to the more significant issue of global warming?
So, the next time you wonder why anyone would still live in Florida or any other place threatened by natural disasters, consider the bigger picture. People live here because it’s home—it’s always been. And leaving home behind, no matter the threat, is never as easy as it sounds.
If you're able and willing to support hurricane relief efforts, here’s a list of resources to look into:
Appalachian Hurricane Relief Efforts
Reach St. Pete Hurricane Relief Donations
Cajun Navy Hurricane Helene / Milton Relief Amazon Wishlist
Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief WNC Resources Amazon Wishlist
Mercy Chefs Hurricane Helene Response
If you’ve ever personally visited any of the affected areas, check on the small businesses you supported while you were there. It’s likely they’ve shared ways you can help on social media as well. And even if you haven’t, a quick search can connect you with communities that could really use your support.
Lots of love from Florida,
Wilda xx
Thanks for reading!
Read more about Between The B&W here.
If you like this newsletter, please consider sharing it with others.
Here is every Between The B&W newsletter to date.