Hurricane Michael came shore in North Florida's Mexico Beach on October 8, 2018. It was the strongest storm to hit the state's Forgotten Coast in a century, and one of the most powerful storms to make landfall in the U.S.
Michael gained strength rapidly, leaving little time for people to evacuate. It has also exacerbated a housing crisis in a largely rural and poor region. Clean-up efforts are slowing, due to a lack of cash. Damage estimates are nearing $6 billion and recovery could take more than a decade.
The WFSU News Team provided live, wall-to-wall coverage as the hurricane approached and made landfall. In the days following, coverage continued. Reporters have traveled to some of the hardest hit places to speak with residents about the difficulties in moving foward.
