Florida’s Gulf Coast has long been a haven for retirees, but back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton have left many older adults struggling to recover. Residents 65 and older, living in retirement communities and manufactured homes, have seen their lives upended by the storms. The vulnerability of these homes to severe weather, combined with the age and health conditions of the residents, has made the recovery process especially difficult.
Staying Home During the Storm
Libbie Bowers, 85, is one of those affected. She chose to stay in her Bradenton home during Hurricane Milton, despite the 100 mph winds that tore through her retirement community. Bowers took refuge in her bathroom with food, water, and her cat, Sadie, as the storm battered her home.
“It was just like a train coming through,” Bowers said.
The next morning, she found her carport and shed destroyed, her belongings scattered across her yard and nearby lake. At her age, and after undergoing knee surgery last year, cleaning up the debris was a monumental task. Fortunately, her neighbors stepped in to help, salvaging what they could and discarding the rest. Despite the losses, Bowers felt grateful her home was mostly intact.
“I wanted to cry,” she admitted. “Then I said, ‘No, don’t cry. Be thankful that everything in here is intact.’”
Evacuating for the First Time
While some chose to stay, others like Ruth Strickland, 87, made the difficult decision to evacuate before Hurricane Milton struck. Strickland, who has hearing and back issues, found it challenging to prepare for the storm and rely on others for assistance.
“If I didn’t live here, I don’t think I could handle it,” Strickland said, expressing gratitude for her community’s support.
Strickland’s duplex survived the storm, but she said the community hasn’t experienced such a devastating hurricane season before.
Rising Costs and the Burden of Repairs
In Sarasota’s Orange Acres community, Richard Asp, 77, was busy trying to repair his roof, damaged by both Helene and Milton. He and his wife, Joelanne, are living on a fixed income, making it increasingly difficult to afford both rising living expenses and storm repairs.
“We have a certain amount each week that we spend on groceries,” Richard explained. “And we just have less and less in our cart.”
The couple, both retired, are now considering returning to work to manage their financial strain. They have applied for FEMA assistance and are awaiting a home inspection.
Health and Housing Woes
For 82-year-old Nancy Sarson, the situation is even more dire. After surviving Helene with only minor damage, Milton wrecked her home, leaving her with a mangled roof and crushed metal shutters. Sarson, who had part of her lung removed due to cancer, is worried about mold growing in her home from water leaks.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to live there,” Sarson said tearfully. “But I have nowhere else to go.”
With no family to help and little contact with FEMA, Sarson has been struggling to cope with the recovery process alone. Her limited income and lack of insurance have left her in a precarious situation.
“I have $20 in the bank, and I have no savings, and I have no insurance,” she said. “And I don’t know what to do.”
Picking Up the Pieces
In the aftermath of the storms, many residents, like 66-year-old Denise Bruno, are doing their best to move forward. Bruno, who works as a housekeeper, found her home partially damaged but still livable after Milton.
“I was really scared,” Bruno said. “But you know, you gotta pick up the pieces and move on.”
Despite their resilience, older adults in these retirement communities continue to face immense challenges as they try to rebuild their lives after two devastating hurricanes.
