Rebuilding after extreme weather events is no easy task, but it is one many are currently facing in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton. As the Southeast recovers from these hurricanes, many are questioning how to rebuild to prevent future damage. While people want safer, more resilient homes, they face challenges in getting there. According to Fast Company, the biggest road blocks come in the form of high up-front costs and misconceptions about regulations from local building departments, among other issues.
Even for people whose homes are insured, payments rarely cover anything different from what existed before. Thus, the amount of money available for rebuilding can be considerably less than the actual cost of rebuilding resiliently.
Less quantifiable, but no less real, is the cost of navigating the rebuilding process. For many people, this starts with figuring out how to apply for government aid, dealing with insurance companies’ requirements, and then deciding how and when to build. Read more