FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA: In the wake of Hurricane Ian, a resolute figure has taken his stance on the roof of a garage along Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Rick Loughery, accompanied by his wife Amy and their son, opted to remain on the beach during the hurricane.
Emerging from the storm's aftermath, they now find themselves in a different struggle - rebuilding their home. A crucial aspect of their battle revolves around the fate of the garage they constructed according to the code in 2019. Loughery's protest is rooted in his objection to FEMA's 50% rule.
The conflict originated when Fort Myers Beach categorized the garage as linked to their home. Consequently, FEMA's 50% rule is being applied, deeming the garage as part of the home that was impacted by Hurricane Ian. Loughery contests this categorization, asserting that the garage is a separate structure.
Who is Rick Loughery?
Loughery lives along Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach. Despite enduring Hurricane Ian's impact, Loughery and his family's 30-feet high garage, constructed in 2019 with hurricane resilience in mind, remained mostly unscathed, with only a door needing replacement.
Following the storm, they secured permits for door replacement and electricity restoration, an expense totaling around $20,000. However, the situation took an unexpected turn.
Authorities are now insisting that the garage's walls be replaced with breakaway walls and that foundational adjustments be made. This essentially necessitates deconstructing and rebuilding the entire garage, a significant endeavor beyond their initial repairs.
Why is Rick Loughery protesting?
Loughery's mission is twofold: he's not only striving to salvage his garage but also aiming to shed light on the challenges his town is grappling with.
His sentiment resonates with many others, including fellow business owners and homeowners, who share his frustrations over the 50% rule, as per FOX 4.
Following weeks of meetings and discussions with unyielding town and state officials, Loughery took a drastic step to express his discontent. Starting on Wednesday morning, August 2, he initiated a protest on top of his roof.
This action comes in response to a decision from the town and the State Division of Emergency Management, a decision that would entail demolishing his garage, valued at $100,000, despite its resilience in weathering Hurricane Ian unscathed.
Loughery has made it known that he intends to remain on his roof until a resolution is reached regarding his predicament. "Get the governor here," he said, per a Fort Myers bulletin.
What is FEMA's 50% rule?
FEMA's 50% rule refers to a policy implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in relation to rebuilding or repairing structures that have been damaged or destroyed by natural disasters, particularly hurricanes.
Under this rule, if the repair costs go over 50% of the building's pre-disaster value, it must meet current codes. This means it has to be as strong as new buildings. The rule aims to make repairs safer, but it can be tricky for property owners who may need to make big changes.
The Lougherys are facing potential $200K expenditure
In addition to the $100,000 invested in building the garage and the $50,000 allocated for plans for a new home centered around it, the Lougherys have already expended $27,000 on the demolition of their previous house.
Furthermore, the potential dismantling of the garage would demand an additional expenditure of $15,000. The cumulative financial commitments they've made underscore the high stakes involved in their endeavor to maintain their garage and navigate the situation.
Loughery has two protest signs to convey his message. One sign states, "I survived Ian but not town staff," while the other one reads, "Our community deserves better."
