Alan Bickford, a longtime South Florida resident and former AT&T engineer, has experienced firsthand the increasing challenges posed by climate change along the state’s coastline. Raised with a strong sense of community resilience during storms, Bickford recalls a time when neighbors relied on mutual support and simple preparations to withstand hurricanes. However, he says the environment and risks have shifted dramatically over the past several decades.

Since purchasing a waterfront home on Pine Island near Fort Myers in 1997, Bickford has witnessed rising sea levels and a growing frequency of severe hurricanes affect his property. Initially, a sea wall adequately protected the house, even during high tides. Over time, however, he has had to raise the wall by 20 inches to counteract increased flooding. The escalating threats were underscored in 2022 when Bickford and his wife Cindy evacuated ahead of Hurricane Ian. Upon returning, they found their home inundated with ankle-deep mud and significant structural damage that necessitated stripping the house to its studs.

Though the couple has largely rebuilt their home in the two years since, subsequent storms such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton tested their preparations again. While the reinforced sea wall held firm during these later hurricanes, the toll has been considerable. Repairs have cost Bickford more than $60,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, and rising premiums on flood insurance—more than doubling over the period—have contributed to mounting debt.

The process of recovery and adaptation remains complex and ongoing. Bickford found some relief and solidarity after joining the support network Extreme Weather Survivors, where he connected with Derek Sample, a record producer and sound engineer from Los Angeles who has also faced climate-related losses. Following a meeting at a lobbying event in Washington earlier this year, the two men developed a friendship that deepened when Sample visited Pine Island in August to share experiences and challenges related to insurance claims and rebuilding. For Bickford, the camaraderie of others dealing with similar hardship has provided some comfort amid the growing burdens of climate change.