On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike struck Galveston, Houston, and the Southeast Texas coast, causing horrific damage and loss of life. Although only a high Category 2 storm by wind speed, when it made landfall, the storm surge was indicative of a Category 4 or 5, thus causing significant destruction. The effects of the storm are felt even today. Low-income housing in Galveston has still not recovered. Governmental authorities are still searching for solutions to the storm surge including the proposed Ike Dike to protect the Houston area petroleum refining industry.  Primary sources including newspaper accounts, oral histories, and government documents are the basis of the paper. Numerous secondary sources were also utilized.