In Florida, hurricanes arrive with a rhythm as old as the tide—howling winds bending palms, and heavy rains turn streets to rivers. Behind the storm, people gather in shelters, carrying what matters most. There is both destruction and resilience, a reminder that the sea gives and takes, but the spirit of those who endure remains.
Storm surge flooded the coast of Gulfport, Fla. as Hurricane Helene swept past Tampa Bay. The storm struck the Big Bend region of Florida and then went on to cause widespread damage across the southeastern U.S.
John and Kate Gauntt and their family of 10 have dinner inside their heavily damaged home in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. nearly three months after the storm made landfall. The home has been stripped down to the studs due to water damage and mold proliferation. The family spends most of its time outside or in a trailer parked in their driveway - with the exception being sitting down for dinner in the damaged house.
Gerald and Tara Boyd, living out of their car for months after Hurricane Ian destroyed their home, take a walk on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. in 2023.
What looks like a river of water sits on Highway 72 in Arcadia, Fla. near the Peace River, cutting off dozens of families from getting to their homes. The extent to the flooding in this area caught many off guard since it's not a coastal town, situated inland many miles from the coast of Florida.
Pat Heiland, 80, who rode out the storm at her home in hard hit Sanibel Island, Fla., is seen at Hertz Arena in Estero Fla. Heiland told first responders after the storm she wouldn't leave her home unless she could bring her parrot “Will”.
Katie Cole, left, and sister Savannah Cole clean mud out of the Sea Hag Marina gift shop, where they work as cashiers, in Steinhatchee, Fla. in 2023 a day after Hurricane Idalia made landfall.
A shrimp boat rests in debris on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.
Sisters Eden Rogers, 5, left, and Avery Rogers, 9, play on a downed palm tree in front of their family’s home in Fort Myers, Fla. on October 8, 2022. The family is staying out of the home a week after the storm and for the foreseeable future while major repairs are made due to flooding and mold.
Cars and trucks are stopped along southbound Interstate 75 in North Port, Fla. when the road flooded days after Hurricane Ian passed through the area. The stoppage snagged supply trucks trying to help hard hit areas as well as residents who fled the storm trying to make their way back home to assess damage.
Dawn Fader of Treasure Island, Fla. looks at damage from a fallen crane in downtown St. Petersburg in 2024 after Hurricane Milton.
Rosemonde Justin, left, and Wilson Milice pick up water from a Florida Army National Guard supply location in Arcadia, Fla. Residents here went without power or drinkable water for an extended period of time.
A pile of debris just steps from the beach in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. almost nine months after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area.
Joseph and Barbara at El Ranch Motel in North Fort Myers, Fla. in 2023. The couple have been living in the motel since their trailer home was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
Kate Gauntt, left, and her children in the street in front of her destroyed home in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. The family of 10 is living in a hunting trailer in their driveway.
Workers clear a lot on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. one evening nearly three months after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area. Homes on the barrier island will be rebuilt bigger and stronger for the inevitable next major hurricane.