Watch Owner of 'Last House Standing' reacts to Hurricane Ike on 4th anniversary in New Channel | Channify

BOLIVAR PENINSULA - By Megan Dillard - On this day in 2008, Hurricane Ike was devastating the Bolivar Peninsula and much of the Gulf Coast. It caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, making the storm one of the worst in U.S. history. Four years later, much of the area has been rebuilt. We spoke with a man who lives on Bolivar Peninsula. His home withstood Hurricane Ike and became known as the "last house standing." He spoke with us about the storm, its aftermath, and what Bolivar Peninsula looks like today. "It was just devastating. It looked like someone had come in and dropped bombs all over the place, leveled everything. Tears went to flying." Hurricane Ike. September 2008. One of the worst storms in U.S. history. Warren Adams lives in what was called the "last house standing." His was the only home in Gilchrist that withstood the wrath of the storm. "There was some joy there, because hey, the house made it. On the other hand, you sort of felt guilty. You're there and they're gone." His home wasn't without damage. "What we weren't prepared for was what happened inside the house." He says what he and his wife found took his breath away. "It was devastating, devastating. All of our stuff was laying all over the floor. Furniture had been moved around because of the wind and water." At the time, Adams wanted to say goodbye to his home in Gilchrist. "I just really couldn't take it to be honest with you. To see the devastation, I just couldn't see a future." Four years later he wouldn't live anywhere else. "I purchased the land across the street there, which is where I have the BBQ place." He cleaned up, rebuilt, and opened a BBQ restaurant across the street, further planting his roots near the sea and shore that he loves. "It's been a blessing to me, now. You're talking four years ago. A lot of changes. I'm here all the time, so I see these changes day in and day out." Changes that include a new perspective on hurricanes. "I will never ever make a decision myself that hey, it's only a category two or category one, ain't no big thing. Well it is a big thing." And a constant reflection on the storm that could've taken everything. "In some ways it is better because what's coming back now is more modern and is designed to withstand another storm similar to that. Before, it took away a lot of houses. It destroyed a lot of people." Four years ago, his hope was washed away. Now, Adams says the view from here looks pretty good. Adams told us he actually learned his home survived the storm from aerial footage he saw on T.V. He says he and his wife love their home and he's glad they didn't move after the hurricane._________________________________________________________________ BOLIVAR PENINSULA - On this day in 2008, Hurricane Ike was devastating the Bolivar Peninsula and much of Southeast Texas. It caused tens of billions of dollars in damage-more than just about any hurricane in history. What a difference four years can make. On this September 13, 2012, much of Bolivar has bounced back, but unlike many people, Warren Adams didn't have to start from scratch. Adams and his wife own a home in Gilchrist. For the most part, their home stood up to Ike. The national media descended on the Bolivar Peninsula after Ike, and video taken at that time showed the Adams' home remained upright while Ike washed away just about every building around them, or left them in pieces. Their home became known as 'the last house standing.' Still, they had to make repairs and rebuild. It took about 11 months. "In some ways it is better, because what's coming back now is more modern and designed to withstand another storm similar to that or close to that," Adams told KFDM News. "Before, it took away a lot of houses and it destroyed a lot of people." Adams says he's on the peninsula just about all of the time and sees the changes and how it's recovered. He also shared a hard-earned lesson from the storm. "I will never, ever make a decision myself that 'hey, it's a Category 2 or only a Category 1, ain't no big thing.' Well, it is a big thing and I'm out of here."     Adams and his wife opened a barbecue restaurant just across the highway from their home, and the couple is active in promoting the peninsula.