Researchers at the Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS) say the federal government is underestimating the strength of storm surges. After reviewing damage from Hurricane Ike, IBHS says FEMA should require new homes near the beach to be elevated more than the current standard, which is 19 feet above sea level. Homes that survived Hurricane Ike when it rammed into Bolivar Peninsula in Texas last year were 26 feet above sea level and were built to the institute’s “fortified” standards. About 270 homes were demolished. Read a related article on this topic: NFIP Minimum Flood Elevation Rules Woefully Inadequate