Homeowner Elevates House to Combat Flood Risks in Florida
A resident in Pinellas County, located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is raising her house 24 feet to prevent future flood damage. This substantial undertaking, as reported by WFLA News Channel 8, shows the extreme measures many people in Florida are adopting to deal with more powerful hurricanes and increased flood threats. This reflects a growing trend among homeowners across the state who choose to elevate their homes instead of leaving them, pressured by the rising costs of insurance and frequent storm damage.
Pinellas County, surrounded by water on three sides, ranks high for properties in designated flood zones by FEMA. Following the flood impacts during the 2024 hurricane season, the owner of this property, who prefers to remain anonymous, opted to lift her home. That season, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused severe storm surge and flooding throughout the state, resulting in tens of thousands of insurance claims and billions in damages.
A Rare 24-Foot Home Lift
The house in Madeira Beach is notably raised to an unusual height of 24 feet. Kristi Robinson of Modern House and Building Movers, the company managing the project, told WFLA that such height is atypical. “Usually, we lift homes 12 to 14 feet,” Robinson explained. The exceptional height relates partly to plans for adding a second floor. The project, from contract and permitting to the start of work, took about a year and a half. The lifting began in February and finished by April, as reported by WFLA.
The lifting method involves erecting structural columns around the house, installing beams, and lifting the building before removing temporary supports. Robinson described the process: “They form columns around the house, build beams, and then remove the columns.”
Cost and Timeline
The homeowner disclosed to WFLA that the elevation costs about $575,000, with ongoing work including new walls, flooring, stucco, and paint. The project aims to conclude by December. Robinson noted that despite the high cost, the investment serves to preserve community character while enhancing safety. “Many of these homeowners grew up in these homes and wish to stay. Elevation offers a way to remain safely,” Robinson added.
“We want to ensure home safety so that in a future flood, they won’t face issues.”
Hurricanes and Flooding Driving Change
This house elevation follows a damaging period for Florida. In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought surge, rainfall, and tornado outbreaks to the Gulf Coast. These events resulted in over 78,000 flood insurance claims, with potential losses surpassing $10 billion. The National Hurricane Center indicates flood waters—rather than wind—are the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities and destruction, making elevation an essential strategy to mitigate these risks.
What People Are Saying
The elevation project in Pinellas County has generated discussions on X. User @garydruckercic, a commercial insurance broker, commented, “Smart move. I advise my Florida clients to lift homes before contacting insurance.” Florida realtor Peter Draschman stated, “FEMA might have covered up to 100% of the cost had the owner made 4 NFIP claims over a decade, qualifying for the Flood Mitigation Assistance program.”
User @jzell2285, a microbiologist, expressed concerns about local ordinances regulating such elevations and pondered, “Building codes might restrict these measures. Temporary pallets probably support until real supports are added.” Another user, Dan McGrath (@IRMAARetirement), questioned the project’s long-term accessibility, asking, “How will the homeowner manage stairs when older?”
Sharing a picture of another raised home, user @ChaosCruxFL, who works in AI, noted, “These homes allow RV storage underneath. Madeira Beach has several similar cases.”
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