A tiny Florida beach town is rebuilding after a hurricane. Is it becoming a preserve of the rich?
A new sign appears in front of the town’s historic courthouse during renovation efforts after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
An aerial view shows a construction crew rebuilding downtown during the months following Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
A woman walks past construction debris at New Smyrna Beach after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
A new sign appears in front of the town’s historic courthouse during renovations following Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
A man looks out over New Smyrna Beach, which sits on the eastern edge of the Florida Keys, after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The sun rises over New Smyrna Beach, which sits on the eastern edge of the Florida Keys, after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
A worker puts up a new sign during renovations following Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
A man stands in front of the town’s historic courthouse during renovations following Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
People walk along the seawall along the seawall in the town of New Smyrna Beach, on the eastern edge of the Florida Keys, after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
People walk along the seawall along the seawall in the town of New Smyrna Beach, on the eastern edge of the Florida Keys, after Hurricane Irma. (John Moore/Getty Images)
On the morning of Aug. 5, 2017, New Smyrna Beach, a barrier island just off the coast of the Florida Keys, seemed like a place to escape to: Not only was it a barrier island, but it was also a place of refuge. The town was largely uninhabited at the time, save for the lighthouse keeper’s house and a few bungalows, but they were surrounded by about a dozen other homes and businesses.
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