I agree (and I live in an oceanfront condo). What worries me about Florida is that Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the only counties in FL with strengthened post-Hurricane Andrew building codes, and those codes (for glass doors, etc.,) are for 135 mph winds (Cat 3 storm). As for the rest of the states, I don't think any of them have adopted Dade/Broward codes, so the Gulf/SE is a disaster waiting to happen.
I'm beginning to think we need a national building code for coastal 'hurricane' areas that can handle Cat 4. That means lowrise, circular homes that can disperse winds, wind- resistant (bulletproof?) glass, home electrical generators, etc.
New construction will become expensive, but over time, say 40 years, lives and property will be saved. I doubt the US has authority (except, of course, as a condition of federal aid) to impose this, but the Gulf/SE states should collaborate in drafting a model building code for their coastal areas.
They could use insulated concrete forms to create walls. This could make them not only stronger, but cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with less fuel needed to maintain temperature! You could even pour concrete roofs that wouldn't become sails in a high wind.