In 2022, Dave Blancett, 72, and his wife, Maria, 71, were living in Cape Coral, Florida, when Hurricane Ian devastated their community. “We had a storm surge. We lost our roof. We lost our pool cage,” Maria told CNBC Make It.
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Hurricane Ian was one of Florida’s most destructive storms, causing an estimated $112 billion in damages across the state. The extensive damage to their home led the Blancetts to consider relocating. Their search soon led them to a unique, hurricane-resistant community: Babcock Ranch.
The haven of Babcock Ranch
Unlike many other communities impacted by Hurricane Ian, Babcock Ranch remained largely unscathed. Though some trees fell and minor roof damage was reported, the town did not experience power outages, water disruptions, or flooding. Impressed by the town’s resilience, the Blancetts visited Babcock Ranch in 2023 and decided to invest in a home there, placing a $125,000 deposit on a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house.
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Located near Fort Myers, Babcock Ranch is a planned community with a reputation as America’s first solar-powered town. Originally spanning 91,000 acres, the land was once a private ranch before developer Syd Kitson envisioned it as a model for sustainable living.
Building a town that works with nature
In 2006, Kitson and his investors purchased the land for approximately $700 million, preserving 73,000 acres as a natural reserve and selling them to the state of Florida for $350 million. The remaining 18,000 acres became the site of Babcock Ranch, with a commitment to resilience, sustainability, and innovation.
To ensure protection against hurricanes, developers built the community 30 feet above sea level on preserved wetlands, minimizing the risk of storm surges. “We are working with Mother Nature and not against Mother Nature because if you work against Mother Nature, you’re going to fail every single time,” Kitson explained.
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America’s first solar-powered town
A major part of Babcock Ranch’s resilience is its renewable energy source. The town partnered with Florida Power and Light to install 687,000 solar panels, generating 150 megawatts of electricity. This solar infrastructure allows the town to maintain power even during severe storms.
Additionally, all homes in Babcock Ranch are built to withstand hurricane-force winds up to 150 mph, meeting Florida Green Building Coalition standards. The homes feature reinforced roofs, impact-resistant windows, and underground power lines, all designed to keep residents safe during extreme weather events.
A thriving, self-sufficient community
Babcock Ranch isn’t just a safe place to live—it’s a fully functioning town with schools, retail shops, and recreational facilities. The first downtown area, Founder’s Square, was built in 2016, followed by model homes in 2017. By 2018, the first residents moved in.
Today, more than 4,000 homes have been sold, ranging from $300,000 to over $4 million. By 2035, the town plans to expand to 19,500 residences and 6 million square feet of commercial space.
The Blancetts’ new home and another hurricane test
In April 2024, Dave and Maria moved into their newly built 2,400-square-foot home in the gated Edgewater Shores neighborhood of Babcock Ranch. They purchased the property for $835,457, with a down payment of $309,370 and a monthly mortgage of $4,897. They also pay $1,648 per quarter in homeowners’ association (HOA) fees.
Their home includes several storm-resistant features, such as a Kevlar storm shutter for their pool area, ensuring maximum protection. “I like to say that we moved 30 miles inland and 30 feet up. The area here had been tested by Hurricane Ian,” Dave said.
Just six months after they moved in, Hurricane Milton—a Category 3 storm—hit Florida. Unlike their past experiences, the Blancetts felt no anxiety about the storm. “When Milton came through, we were not worried at all,” Maria said. “The lake behind our home never rose to a concerning level, unlike the one in Cape Coral that nearly reached our door.”
A community that sheltered thousands
During Hurricane Milton, Babcock Ranch once again proved its resilience. The town’s underground power lines ensured that electricity remained intact, and the community even sheltered approximately 2,000 Floridians in its school and sports facility.
“We had seven people, four dogs, and four cats staying with us,” Dave shared. “With all the power lines underground, we didn’t lose power.”
A model for the future
After weathering two hurricanes with virtually no damage, Babcock Ranch has become a model for other communities looking to enhance climate resilience.
“What I want for Babcock Ranch is to be an example of how to do it right,” Kitson said. “And I hope other communities follow suit—even doing it better than we have.”
For the Blancetts, their move to Babcock Ranch was a decision they have no regrets about. “I don’t think we’re planning to move anytime soon,” Dave said. “We feel very safe here, and so do all of our friends.”
