‘What are we going to be walking back into?’: immense costs for Americans under hurricane threat

Hurricane-related costs have become colossal for those in at-risk areas, and many residents are struggling to manage

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the approaching Hurricane Milton in the US south-east has left residents once again scrambling for ways to fortify their homes or, in extreme cases, to find sanctuary elsewhere. But the cost of doing so is burdensome at best and devastating at worst.

Alexandra Marcella, a resident of Sarasota, Florida, had a baby two weeks ago. Along with her newborn, toddler and husband, Marcella left home to stay with her in-laws to ride out the storm.