Florida Weather Risks and Rising Insurance Costs Are Pushing Many Residents to Consider Moving

Florida’s hurricane season may officially be over, but for many residents, the anxiety around extreme weather is far from finished. A recent survey conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) shows that hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, and escalating insurance costs are increasingly shaping where Floridians choose—or hope—to live. The findings paint a detailed picture of a state grappling with long-term climate risks that extend well beyond any single storm season.

A Significant Share of Floridians Are Thinking About Relocating

According to the latest Florida Climate Survey, 36% of Floridians statewide say they have either already moved or are considering moving partly or entirely because of weather-related hazards. These hazards include hurricanes, coastal and inland flooding, and prolonged extreme heat. This figure alone highlights how deeply climate and weather risks are influencing everyday life decisions across the state.

The survey also reveals strong regional differences. In North Florida, 24% of respondents said weather hazards had already influenced a past decision to move within the state. In contrast, across the central and southern parts of the Florida peninsula—from Tampa to Cape Canaveral and further south toward Key West—around 20% of residents said weather risks are currently playing a role as they explore the possibility of relocating.

Notably, the concern is not limited to coastal areas alone. While storm surge and flooding are major worries near the shoreline, inland residents are also feeling the pressure from stronger storms, heavier rainfall, and rising temperatures.

Weather Hazards Remain a Top Concern Even After Hurricane Season

The survey was conducted in late September, roughly one year after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida. That storm was followed just two weeks later by Hurricane Milton, along with a related tornado outbreak. These back-to-back events appear to have left a lasting impression on residents.

More than 60% of Floridians reported being moderately or extremely concerned about:

Hurricanes becoming stronger or more frequent (63%)
Heavier rainfall across the state (61%)
Higher coastal flooding caused by storm surge (61%)

Even as national conversations about weather and climate shift over time, the survey suggests that lived experience matters more than political cycles or media narratives. Floridians who have experienced repeated storms, flooding, or prolonged heat are continuing to factor those realities into decisions about safety and stability.

The Financial Pressure of Home Insurance Is Growing

Beyond physical safety, money is a major part of the equation. Nearly 49% of Floridians surveyed said they are concerned about the affordability of homeowners’ insurance due to climate-related risks. Florida has already seen steep insurance premium increases in recent years, driven by storm damage, rising reinsurance costs, and insurers pulling back from high-risk areas.

For some residents, the desire to move is complicated by finances. While many would prefer to relocate to safer areas, the cost of moving itself—combined with higher housing prices elsewhere—can make relocation unrealistic. This creates a situation where people feel trapped between growing environmental risks and limited economic options.

Beliefs About Climate Change Are Still Strong, but Shifting

The survey found that 85% of Floridians believe climate change is happening, an overwhelming majority. However, this figure is notable because it represents the lowest level recorded in the survey’s six-year history, suggesting a slight decline in overall agreement.

When it comes to the causes of climate change, opinions are more divided. Just over 52% of Floridians believe climate change is primarily caused by human activity. Political affiliation plays a major role here:

71% of Democrats believe human actions are driving climate change
50% of Independents share that belief
39% of Republicans agree with human-caused climate change

Despite these differences, concern about real-world impacts—like storms, flooding, and insurance costs—cuts across party lines.

Support for Government Action Remains, but at a Lower Level

More than 60% of Floridians said they want state or federal governments to do more to address the impacts of climate change. While this is still a clear majority, it represents the lowest level of support since questions about government climate action were first added to the survey in March 2023.

This dip may reflect broader national trends, where public support for climate policies often fluctuates depending on elections, economic conditions, and political messaging. Still, the survey suggests that practical concerns about safety and affordability remain constant, even when opinions about policy solutions vary.

How the Survey Was Conducted

The Florida Climate Survey is the 13th survey conducted by the FAU Center for Environmental Studies since October 2019, making it one of the most consistent long-running efforts to track Floridians’ views on climate resilience.

Key methodological details include:

Conducted September 24–30
Available in English and Spanish
Sample size of 1,400 Florida residents aged 18 and older
Margin of error of ±2.53%
Data collected using an online panel from GreatBlue Research
Responses weighted for age, income, education, gender, and region, based on 2023 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data

As with all surveys, smaller subgroups carry higher margins of error, but the overall trends remain statistically robust.

Why Florida Is Especially Vulnerable to Climate Risks

Florida’s geography plays a major role in these findings. Much of the state sits at low elevation, with extensive coastlines along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This makes it particularly vulnerable to:

Storm surge
Sea-level rise
Saltwater intrusion
Intense rainfall and flooding

In addition, Florida’s rapid population growth has increased development in flood-prone areas, amplifying the potential impact of storms. Extreme heat is also becoming a more serious issue, especially for older residents and outdoor workers.

What These Findings Mean Going Forward

The FAU survey makes one thing clear: weather and climate risks are no longer abstract concerns for many Floridians. They are influencing housing decisions, financial planning, and long-term ideas about where it feels safe to live. While not everyone who wants to move can do so, the fact that more than a third of residents are considering relocation signals a significant shift in how people view life in the Sunshine State.

As Florida continues to face stronger storms, rising insurance costs, and growing population pressures, these attitudes are likely to play an important role in shaping future housing markets, infrastructure planning, and policy debates.

Research Reference:
Florida Atlantic University Center for Environmental Studies – Florida Climate Survey
https://www.ces.fau.edu/ces-bepi/sept-2025.php