FLORIDA

Woman displaced by Hurricane Ian grows roots in Vero Beach

Kaila Jones
Treasure Coast Newspapers
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt enters her new home after exercising in the community pool, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. “I fell in love with it,” Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. “This is mine, and I felt at home.” Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt enters her new home after exercising in the community pool, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. “I fell in love with it,” Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. “This is mine, and I felt at home.” Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt poses for a portrait in her home, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "I fell in love with it," Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. "This is mine, and I felt at home." Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt poses for a portrait in her home, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "I fell in love with it," Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. "This is mine, and I felt at home." Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt points to photos of her granddaughter and daughter as a child in her home in a 55-plus community, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. “I fell in love with it,” Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. “This is mine, and I felt at home.” Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt points to photos of her granddaughter and daughter as a child in her home in a 55-plus community, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. “I fell in love with it,” Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. “This is mine, and I felt at home.” Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio., after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
A rainbow is seen in Jeannine Izolt’s 55-plus community in Indian River County, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
A rainbow is seen in Jeannine Izolt’s 55-plus community in Indian River County, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2014, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2014, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt enters her new home after exercising in the community pool, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "I fell in love with it," Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. "This is mine, and I felt at home." Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt enters her new home after exercising in the community pool, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "I fell in love with it," Izolt said about touring her home before purchasing. "This is mine, and I felt at home." Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt exercises in her 55-plus community pool, along with a group of women she has become close with, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. "The people are so nice," Izolt said while walking in the pool. In 2018, Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm. She abandoned her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground-floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt highlights paintings of Anna Maria Island in her home, a place her and her family are connected to through vacations together, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
Jeannine Izolt highlights paintings of Anna Maria Island in her home, a place her and her family are connected to through vacations together, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Indian River County. Izolt retired in Cape Coral from Ohio, where she found her sense of community in friends. In 2022, Hurricane Ian inundated the area as a Category 4 storm, leaving her to abandon all her belongings after surge flooding from nearby canals entered her ground floor home. After briefly relocating to Columbus, Ohio, after the hurricane to stay with her daughter, and then moving in with her sister in Port St. Lucie, Izolt grew new roots in Vero Beach, where she bought her home in June of 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
An Ohio State flag is seen outside of Jeannine Izolt’s home in Indian River County, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
An Ohio State flag is seen outside of Jeannine Izolt’s home in Indian River County, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.
KAILA JONES/TCPALM
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral home was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still without drywall as they needed to be redone after the mold infestation. All of her furniture has been donated.
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral home was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still without drywall as they needed to be redone after the mold infestation. All of her furniture has been donated.
Jeannine Izolt
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt's Cape Coral condo was flooded due to the storm surge last year during Hurricane Ian, which was a Category 4 storm. She visited it in April and the walls are still unfinished. All of her furniture has been donated. She still hasn't sold this home.
Jeannine Izolt