Disasters are often followed by reports of damage to the built environment: costs to buildings, roads, bridges, power lines, stores, schools and hospitals. These obviously follow the death toll and the economic and social impacts on citizens' lives. It was no different with Hurricane Ike, whose 20-foot surge caused some of the most extensive damage ever seen. Stories of how it affected other things for benefit don't make much of the well-known stories. For Gene Straatmeyer, a resident of the Bolivar Peninsula, the area hardest hit by the storm, the story isn't just about how destructive it was: "When I saw my house three weeks after the storm, I was glad it was standing, but I knew that it was time for change. Now, five years later, I have learned that there is a cost to enjoying the beauty of this place. I love this place and I am here to stay, but I have to invest more than I imagined affected our lives greatly, but not just in a negative way." Gene understands that the story ends not only with the damage but also with the contribution he makes to the future. It brought with it new measures in structural development, social relations and insurance holding. This is an important step towards reducing the impact of future disasters. With winds and waters sweeping away people's lives and property, the storm made it one of the costliest in America's history. According to FEMA: The combination of surge and high waves was particularly destructive in areas along the Gulf of Mexico coast and parts of the Galveston Bay coast, particularly on the Bolivar Peninsula, Texas (where Gene lives). Preliminary numbers show that of the 5,900 buildings on the Bolivar Peninsula ahead of Ike, about... middle of paper... hurricanes that could come. Elevated houses, flood resistant materials, strong wind protection. Five years later, Gene and his family are still recovering, many others are still getting back to where they were before the harsh September Thirteenth. But what matters now is how they and future generations will survive future disasters and not simply what they have lost. The Ikes' story is still ongoing as they think of ways to combat the challenges they face and avoid future ones. Works Cited Robert, Siegel. “In Texas, Searching for Hurricane Ike Victims.” All Things Considered (NPR) (n.d.): Journal source. Network. April 1, 2014. Texas Department of State Health Services. Select Health Facts. 2002. Print. United States Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hurricane Ike Impact Report. FEMA 2009. Print.