After devastating natural disasters, towns like Panama City, Florida, and Paradise, California, saw an influx of rebuilding funds—but that financial boost came with a downside. Rising property values and costs ended up pushing out some long-time residents who couldn’t afford to stay. This trend isn’t isolated; it’s happening in disaster-struck communities across the U.S., where recovery can ironically leave the most vulnerable behind.

Editor’s Note: When disaster hits, the focus is usually on rebuilding—but this story flips the script. It’s not just about physical recovery; it’s about who gets to recover. If rising costs displace the people who call these places home, then "rebuilding" starts to look more like gentrification by disaster. That’s a harsh reality for communities already reeling from catastrophe.