BETWEEN US
Robert Love EDITOR IN CHIEF
After the Storm
Telling the story of new threats from an age-old foe
AARP photo and video teams followed in our writer’s footsteps to capture images of hurricane recovery, which is still going on years after big storms.
JUNE IS THE start of hurricane season, and older Americans are especially vulnerable to harm from coastal storms. For our feature “Washed Away,” veteran environmental journalist Craig Welch traveled to Florida and New Jersey to meet people whose lives have been upended by hurricanes. As Fort Myers, Florida, resident Martha Shaw watched the storm that totaled her home, she told Welch she was overwhelmed: “I was numb, in limbo....”
A dogged reporter, Welch details the new normal of ever-more-frequent extreme weather events, and the hard choices we must now face.
At aarp.org/washedaway, you’ll find a longer version of Welch’s story, along with a rich variety of extras: video interviews with Shaw and others, photos and drone footage of affected areas, and graphics representing the striking rise in the number of people over 65 moving to America’s coastal areas. The presentation is part of a new initiative by our digital team to tell high-impact stories in more “immersive” ways. My colleague Michelle Davis, who led this effort, says her team “wanted to bring this important story to life, so readers can see the devastation and hear the voices of those impacted.” Our social media channels, including facebook.com/aarp, will also feature original content related to the story. Congratulations to magazine executive editor Margaret Guroff for making this happen.
But wait, there’s more! In the June issue of the AARP Bulletin, you’ll find advice on how to make your own home more resistant to flooding, wherever you live. Flooding damage costs the U.S. $32 billion annually—and that’s rising. A single inch of water can cause $25,000 worth of damage to a home. So please read, view, watch, listen and share this important work now.
