Ian shows the risks and costs of living on barrier islands

Hurricane Ian Shows Risks Of Living On Barrier Islands

Building back may be prohibitively expensive as climate change threatens to unleash increasingly severe storms on coastal communities.

Ian shows risks, costs of living on barrier islands

As hurricanes become more destructive, experts question whether such exposed communities can keep rebuilding in the face of climate change.

Ian shows risks of living on barrier islands

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. — When Hurricane Ian struck Florida's Gulf Coast, it washed out the bottom level of David Muench's home on the barrier island of Sanibel along with several cars, a Harley-Davidson and a boat.

Ian shows the risks and costs of living on barrier islands

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — When Hurricane Ian struck Florida’s Gulf Coast, it washed out the bottom level of David Muench's home on the barrier island of Sanibel along with several cars, a Harley-Davidson and a boat. His parents' house was among those destroyed by the

Ian shows the risks and costs of living on barrier islands

Building on the islands and holding them in place with beach replenishment programs just makes them more vulnerable to destruction because they can no longer move.

Ian shows the risks and costs of living on barrier islands

Experts say that Hurricane Ian is shining a spotlight once again on the vulnerability of the nation’s barrier islands and the increasing cost of people living on them.