A
new hurricane is forecasted to hit Florida as the state continues to recover from Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall near Tampa Bay by Wednesday, bringing with it heavy rain and potential flooding. The storm's peak wind speeds reached 160 mph on Monday.

    Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties, and mandatory evacuations have begun in some areas. The mayor of Tampa has warned that anyone who remains in the city as Milton approaches will be putting their lives at risk.

    The back-to-back hurricanes pose significant challenges to Florida's real-estate market, which is already facing buyer's remorse. Homeowners are reevaluating whether it's worth staying in the state due to the high costs of flood and hazard insurance, with some policies increasing by over 300% in the coming years. Even a few insurers have pulled out of the state.

    The pandemic's hottest market has cooled down, with people souring on Florida due to its climate, costs, and overcrowding. However, the state's extensive coastline will continue to attract new residents. One homeowner whose property sustained significant damage from Helene reduced their listing price by 40%, only to receive 25 calls from investors within hours.