Babcock Ranch was featured on the October 9, 2022 episode of 60 Minutes.
You can watch the video here:
This episode of 60 Minutes aired a little more than a week after Hurricane Ian passed almost directly over the Fort Myers area and Babcock Ranch. CNN and other news outlets were also quick to report on the community's success in the days after the storm.
In the segment shown above, 60 Minutes reporter Bill Whitaker speaks with Babcock Ranch developer Syd Kitson about how the community was developed with the environment and sustainability in mind, what it was like for Kitson to ride out the storm at his home in Babcock Ranch, and how well the solar farm that helps power Babcock Ranch held up to Ian's wind and rain.
Before Hurricane Ian, Babcock Ranch was already one of the best-selling communities in Florida, and I'd imagine the amount of interest in the community will only grow as a result of all the publicity they are getting after the storm.
Babcock Ranch Was Built for Extreme Weather
From the start Babcock Ranch was designed with this kind of resiliency in mind.
The community is largely powered by an 870-acre solar farm run through a partnership with Florida Power & Light. Fiber optic internet and power lines are all run underground to minimize their susceptibility to winds and flying debris.
The community is beyond the reach of coastal storm surge – at elevations of 25 feet or more above sea level.
The surface water management system takes advantage of the natural systems and historic drainage flow ways that have been weathering storms for years.
Babcock Ranch requires all structures to be rated to withstand winds of up to 145 miles per hour.
Even the landscaping is storm ready, with heavy reliance on native plants that are best suited to withstand the Southwest Florida storm cycles.
Want to Learn More?
I've partnered with a Realtor who actually lives, works, and plays in Babcock Ranch to answer any real estate questions you may have.
Babcock Ranch features a variety of neighborhoods from different home builders, and prices generally range from the $300's to over $2M. There are condos, townhouses, and single family homes.
Just fill out this form to get in touch:
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