Building Up: Small fishing community sees big changes after multiple storms

MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK)—Matlacha is getting its color back after three devastating hurricanes scarred the island town. 

Homeowners are rebuilding stronger and higher to fight back and prepare for the next storm. 

Michael White and his wife Christine are among those elevating their homes after hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton left their mark on the community. 

"It was just seeing what happened to this whole area was just heartbreaking," White said. 

White and his wife faced a difficult decision after their home was substantially damaged. They could either knock it down or elevate it, and the character of their home made the choice clear. 

"We only had two choices because the house was substantially damaged, and that was either knock it down or elevate it," White said. "You don't need to look around for very long to know why we didn't want to knock it down." 

The couple elevated their home by nearly 13 feet. They say coming back to see their home damaged was something they never wanted to experience again, and they believe this is the new way of island life. 

"It makes hurricane season a lot easier to know we've done everything we can possibly do to protect this house," White said. 

The Whites went through Davie Shoring, a home-lifting company that has been busy since Hurricane Ian. Gregory Kerle from Davie Shoring said the company has lifted 65 homes on Matlacha and Pine Island alone since the storm. 

"When Ian came in, the whole coastline changed," Kerle said. "Now, even at king tides, people are flooding at king tides." 

The elevation process takes about 12 to 14 weeks. White said the project came with challenges, including the cost and a 16-month wait for all the permits to be finalized in order to lift their home and repair the inside. 

"I think the realization that Matlacha cannot stay the way it was and survive it just can't," White said. "It's going to be a ghost town. And so elevation, or tearing it down and rebuilding from scratch, which you have to elevate anyway, is the only way to go." 

The Matlacha Pine Island Fire District is responding to the changing landscape with its first ladder truck. The 75-foot ladder will allow firefighters to better protect the community as elevated, multi-story homes become more popular on the islands.  

"We're hoping to put that community back together again to make it whole like it was before," White said. 

A Lee County spokesperson said a perfectly filled-out application can be issued within 30 days. Lee County staff average 18 days for permitting, and homes seeking to elevate in the historic district must follow additional steps.