A century ago, the southwest Florida coast was mostly swamps and shoals, prone to frequent flooding and almost impossible to navigate by boat.
Since then, real estate developers manipulated coastal and riverine ecosystems through dredging and filling to create valuable, buildable land. The results of their efforts created coastal communities that were home to more than 2 million people when Hurricane Ian struck.
Many of the homes in the region sit just a few feet from the ocean, surrounded by canals that flow to the Gulf of Mexico. The devastating storm’s 150-mile-per-hour winds and massive storm surge smashed hundreds of buildings to pieces, flooded houses, and tossed around boats and mobile homes. Vast portions of cities including Fort Myers and Port Charlotte were destroyed in a few hours.
The extensive land tracts formed by tearing out mangroves and draining swamps damaged natural wetland marshes that would have protected properties further inland from the storm surge. Thus, the damaging impacts of Hurricane Ian were catastrophic for a vast swath of southwest Florida.
Only three hurricanes had made landfall in the region since 1960, and none of them caused catastrophic flooding. Ian broke that streak, and those who rebuild in destroyed areas will continue to be at high risk from storms.
Related Stories
Building Team | Feb 25, 2016
Long-time BD+C editor Gordon Wright, 1939-2016
Gordon Wright, whose career at BD+C spanned 32 years, passed away on February 15, at the age of 76.
Building Team | Feb 10, 2016
DBIA disputes study claiming design-build projects often delivered on time, over budget
Says study did not account for owner-initiated scope changes.
Building Team | Jan 7, 2016
4 reasons the C-suite should care about design-led construction
Lou Astorino shares four examples how a unified approach can directly help C-suite leaders achieve their organizational goals.
Sponsored | Building Team | Dec 16, 2015
How to fix 3 common mistakes AEC teams make in project interviews
In a LinkedIn post, Scott Johnson, business writing specialist at Johnson Training Group, highlights three common missteps that AEC firms make during project interviews. His insights are based on more than 90 interviews conducted with members of various selection panels.
Sponsored | Building Team | Dec 7, 2015
Why employee advocacy is key to social media success
Employee advocacy is key to boosting social media engagement, and employee advocacy is about more than just the promotion of a firm’s brand.
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 30, 2015
5 ways to bring data into marketing and business development
Here are five ways to use data to enhance the client acquisition process
Cultural Facilities | Nov 23, 2015
BIG plans for Pittsburgh: Bjarke Ingels’ Lower Hill District master plan evokes hilly topography
Paths will be carved to create a dialogue between Pittsburgh’s urbanscape and its hilly surroundings.
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 17, 2015
The benefits of selling your firm to employees
One business advisor recommends professional services businesses to develop a group of employees who are willing and able to buy the business
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 2, 2015
Recruiting for cultural fit
Hiring for culture fit doesn’t mean hiring people who are all the same
Building Team | Oct 28, 2015
Steven R. Zirkel named president of Metl-Span
Metl-Span announced that Steven R. Zirkel has joined the company as the new president. Metl-Span is an industry leader in providing insulated metal panel products for increasing usage in institutional, commercial, industrial and cold storage markets.
