Some Bonita Springs homeowners could soon rise above future storms

Some of Bonita Springs' most flood-prone homes could soon be getting a lift.

Bonita Springs City Council is moving forward with a FEMA-funded project that would elevate 23 homes in an effort to better protect them from future flooding and storm surge.

The project comes nearly four years after Hurricane Ian inundated neighborhoods across Southwest Florida, leaving many homeowners to repair and rebuild.

Tom Couture's 100-year-old house on South Riverside Drive is one of the homes eligible for the raise after Hurricane Ian pushed floodwaters into the home.

"The water came up to the doorknob, probably three feet inside the house," said Couture. "We stayed and we were upstairs for the whole thing. And we had to bust our way out because the door was swollen up."

The city applied for funding through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program following Hurricane Ian. According to city officials, homeowners interested in elevating their properties were invited to participate, and all who expressed interest were included in the grant application submitted to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Under the agreement, FEMA would fund 75% of eligible project costs, while homeowners would be responsible for the remaining 25%. The city said costs will vary from home to home depending on factors such as square footage, construction type and design.

For Couture, the project is a chance to better protect his home from future storms after experiencing significant flooding during Ian.

"It's kind of like a Jenga thing, you know, they jack the house up," Couture said. "It's only going to go six feet. So it shouldn't be too bad."

The 23 homes included in the Central Bonita Springs Neighborhood Elevation Project are located in flood-prone areas or have experienced repeated flood losses. The city says the goal is to elevate the structures above future flood levels, reducing the risk of damage during major storms.

Four additional homes are part of a separate elevation project in the Imperial Shores neighborhood. City officials say they are still awaiting a separate grant agreement for that project.

While the project is moving forward, homeowners may still have to wait a little longer before seeing construction crews arrive. The city expects to begin soliciting contractors in the coming months, with construction potentially beginning later this year.