MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — When it comes to raising a house because of flooding fatigue, one Madeira Beach couple said they have become experts on the topic.

What You Need To Know

  • Phillip Ragan and his wife, Mary Barker, moved into their dream home in 2002

  • In 2020, they started looking into raising it and in 2021, they started the process

  • It has taken two years and about $400,000 but the couple said it is worth it, especially after seeing how much damage flood waters did to their Maderia Beach neighborhood

  • SEPT. 7, 2023: Homeowners elevate their homes after storm flooding fatigue

Phillip Ragan and his wife, Mary Barker, moved into their dream home in 2002. Over the years, they said they grew tired of flooding and the constant threat of flooding at their waterfront home.

So, in 2020, they started looking into raising it and in 2021, they started the process.

It has taken two years and about $400,000 but the couple said it is worth it, especially after seeing how much damage flood waters did to their Maderia Beach neighborhood.

Now their entire bottom floor of their home is a garage with walls built for extreme flooding.

“This house is perfect for Mary and I and we didn’t need a new house because everything about it was sturdy and strong," Phillip Ragan said. "Now we have new electric, new plumbing and it’s flood safe. We’re 15 feet, three inches is where this floor is I’m standing on. So, I don’t think we’ll get water up here unless my water heater breaks."

There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but the couple is hoping to have the primary room and bathroom completed in the next couple of weeks and hopefully move back in soon after.

They recommend the sometimes-stressful project to anyone looking to raise their homes.