Orange Harbor Mobile Village residents elevate homes to prevent flood damage | Lee County

The Orange Harbor Mobile Village neighborhood in Fort Myers is taking proactive steps to prevent future hurricane damage by lifting homes. Crews recently used a crane to elevate a mobile home nearly 12 feet off the ground.

Frank Arteaga, a homeowner in the neighborhood, shared his experience.

“It’s been a long time coming. We came here for the first time about two and a half to three years ago with the RV and kept coming back, and we got to the point that we decided to move here because we really liked the people and the whole neighborhood,” said Arteaga.

The Arteaga’s mobile home is one of five in the area being raised along the Caloosahatchee River. The project aims to meet FEMA’s flood zone elevation requirements and provide residents with peace of mind for future hurricane seasons.

Neighbor Joanne Lose expressed her thoughts on the project.

“It makes you feel good because now more people are establishing their homes. That makes you feel excellent. However, they genuinely take pride in the community. And I like that,” said Lose.

For longtime residents like Gayle Carson, watching her neighbors rebuild feels like a significant turning point.

“I did lose my house during Hurricane Ian and was unable to put another one in. So I have been living in an RV. I’m just so thrilled for my friends who can put in another house,” said Carson.

What was once a flooded community is now rising both physically and in spirit as neighbors work together to safeguard their homes from future storms.

After a day of lifting and a few passing storms, the Arteaga’s home is officially elevated, marking a new chapter for the community.