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... When Ian struck in September 2022, it became the deadliest hurricane to hit the Sunshine State since 1935. High winds, storm surges and flash flooding killed more than 150 people and left a trail of destruction across southwestern Florida.

"You sit there thinking, I know we bought a really good house, but will it blow away?" said Maria. Luckily, it didn't -- but their roof was damaged, resulting in $130,000 in repairs.

They weren't alone. Ian caused nearly $120 billion (103.8 billion) in damage, making it the third-costliest hurricane in US history, behind only Katrina and Harvey. For the Blancetts, it wasn't just a storm. It was a wake-up call.

"Everybody kept saying that Ian was a once-in-a-lifetime event," Dave said. "But I realized that if another Ian hit close to the neighborhood we were in " and it will, it's a matter of when " the property values would just drop."

Like many Floridians, the Blancetts were forced to reevaluate their future in a state increasingly battered by climate-driven storms. Their solution: move at least 30 miles (48 kilometers) inland and 30 feet (9 meters) higher. ...