GALVESTON, Texas--On the Bolivar Peninsula, the potential threat of Tropical Storm Debby reminded homeowners of the last time they were hit hard by a hurricane. The memory of Ike hasn’t faded.
Ben Beckert has great timing. He bought his beach house in Crystal Beach six months before the big one.
"When the storm surge came through here from Ike there was no evidence of a structure ever having been here," said Beckert.
This is the first time since that he has really closely watched the Gulf.
"It makes you pause and think. Let’s just hope it is not another one," said Beckert.
He still has little things to do on the now two houses he owns here nearly four years after Ike—some electrical and other small stuff. He doesn’t want to see Debby become another memorable name.
"To wake up this morning and to see that it is going to hit a little closer to here, it is a little hard on the nerves already," said Beckert.
Just rebuilding was a tough choice that took a year.
For decades, Camille Dover’s family owned a home in Gilchrest. It was destroyed by Ike, and like so many others, not re-built.
"I just decided that we will just rent when we want to come down. Easier. Safer," said Dover.
So she and her kids get to go home to Jasper without worry and Ben Beckert will keep watching.
"Certainly you have to respect these storms," said Beckert.
