Along a coastline is the only place that many people want to build their homes. Having access to the beach and an ocean view is heaven for those who love it. The range of folks who will settle along a coastline is broad. There are the very rich and the not so rich alike. In the Caribbean and Hawaiian islands it is common for homes to be placed near the ocean. It has been this way for thousands of years. People are just drawn to the edge of the water because of the natural beauty and despite the unpredictability of the weather that can destroy those much loved homes.

It seems that no matter how many hurricanes batter coast lines throughout the world, people can not resist the temptation to build near the beaches. In many places it can cost an astronomical amount of money to have a shoreline home. As long as they can afford the risk and the insurance that goes along with it, they are likely to rebuild again and again no matter how many times the wrath of Mother Nature tries to stop them.

Home owners are not the only ones who are tempted to stay established by edge of the ocean. There is nothing that vacationers love any more than a hotel with beach access. These multi-million dollars establishments are being built to try and withstand hurricane winds, but when the winds are too strong and the ocean tide is too large, they could easily suffer water and wind damage to a great extent.

Over the past decade or so there have been several United Sates hurricanes that have caused millions and millions of dollars in damage from both wind and water. Hurricanes Andrew, Charlie, and Katrina showed no respect of persons at all when they devastated coastal communities. People from all walks of life sustained damaged or destroyed homes. From trailer park retirement communities to the elegant mansions of the ultra rich were affected. Hospitals and office buildings alike had roofs blown away and were flooded.

For those who were uninsured or had inadequate insurance, the cost for them was life changing. Even months after these storms there were thousands who had no choice but to return to their damaged homes that were unsafe for human habitation due to structural damage and mold. They often had no help at all to restore their homes to their former state.

Even many of the ones who were insured and had the opportunity to rebuild in another location still chose to refurbish or completely rebuild in the same dangerous places. Some were just not willing to give up their life on the coastline no matter that the risk of future hurricanes could cause the exact same destruction all over again. It just goes to show that we want what we want even when it could cost us everything and we know it.