In brief
Babcock Ranch in Florida, designed for hurricane resilience, sheltered thousands during Hurricane Milton, highlighting its potential as a model for future climate-adaptive communities.
On Florida's west coast, Babcock Ranch, a climate-resilient community the size of Manhattan, proved its ability to withstand severe storms as it sheltered more than 2,000 evacuees during Hurricane Milton. Designed by co-founder Syd Kitson, the town serves as a safe haven with buildings capable of enduring over 150 mph winds and an efficient 150-megawatt solar energy system that keeps power disruptions minimal. The town's strategic location on preserved wetland helps mitigate flooding effects, proving essential in such emergencies. When Governor DeSantis opened Babcock Ranch to evacuees, hundreds of residents from nearby Fort Myers, facing a mandatory evacuation, took refuge there. The event underlines Babcock Ranch’s role in potentially guiding future urban planning in hurricane-prone regions, emphasizing resilience against climate adversities.
