Ingolf Askevold is a former biologist who lives in Tallahassee, Fl. after moving from British Columbia 29 years ago. He dealt with Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricane Michael last year and faces Hurricane Dorian this week.
“Where do I want to spend the rest of my life? I don’t want to spend it in a hurricane alleyway,” says Askevold, 63. “I have the option to say, ‘I’m just going to move back home.’”
The National Hurricane Center predicted life-threatening storm surges and dangerous winds along the east coast of Florida. Hurricane Dorian, a Category 4 storm as of Monday afternoon, triggered evacuation orders in several Floridian cities, while the American Red Cross reported more than 2,600 people sought refuge in 60 evacuation shelters Sunday night.
As the storm thrashed the Bahamas on its uncertain path to the U.S., governors in South Carolina and Georgia ordered evacuations and airlines waived fees and penalties for travelers canceling and rescheduling their plans.
Florida receives more visitors from Canada than any other country, hosting 3.5 million Canadians per year, according to the state’s tourism corporation, and some of these people have permanently moved. While some expats say the quality of life compensates for the weather threats, others are questioning their choice of place to live.
“I foresee the possibility that insurance companies are going to stop underwriting property in Florida,” says Askevold, who was visiting North Carolina when he learned about the storm and is waiting there for the storm to pass. He originally planned to stay in Florida for another 20 or 30 years, but his timeline has shortened. “I’m discovering in conversation, more and more people are giving thought to this, and some people are taking action, have sold their property or moved away from the coast.”
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