From an aerial perspective, the devastation left by Hurricane Milton is starkly visible along the Gulf of Mexico. Homes in Manasota Key, Florida, lay in ruins after the storm's passage on October 12, 2024. – AFP

Chris Fiore, a resident of Siesta Key, was expecting new appliances and furniture to replace those lost to Hurricane Helene. Instead, she found herself sweeping muck and seawater from her ground-floor condo, a home she had only recently acquired. 'There's no way I'm leaving,' Fiore stated on Friday, indicating the waterline that showed ocean water had risen 2 feet (60 cm) up her wall. 'I'm reinforcing, considering hurricane-proof windows and doors to prevent this from happening again.'

This resilience was a common theme among Siesta Key residents interviewed by Reuters. Despite the influx of cleanup workers and construction service providers following two major hurricanes in quick succession, the community's spirit remained unbroken. 'Paradise is still paradise, even with all this mess,' remarked Pat Hurst, a long-time resident of Siesta Key.

While outsiders might question why residents choose to stay, the allure of Siesta Key is undeniable. The area, reminiscent of a Jimmy Buffett song, features charming pastel-colored homes and vibrant downtown eateries and bars. After Hurricane Milton, the landscape was transformed with fine white beach sand and debris from homes turned inside-out.

Elsewhere in Florida, rescue operations were underway to assist those trapped by flooding, and Governor Ron DeSantis announced federal aid had been approved. Despite the challenges, DeSantis emphasized the right of residents to rebuild in vulnerable areas.

Florida's population has surged since 2021, making it the nation's fastest-growing state despite its susceptibility to hurricanes and rising sea levels. Residents face higher property insurance costs, averaging $4,060 in 2023.

Sherry Tom, who moved to Siesta Key from Pittsburgh in 2021, expressed her love for the place but acknowledged her fears. 'This place is my whole heart,' she said. 'But I'm worried about living in constant fear of another disaster. If we can, we're staying.'

Marko Radosavljevic, who owns a historic home built with water-resistant wood, echoed this sentiment. 'I refuse to be pushed out,' he said, determined to preserve the island's unique charm.