A house sits in the surf, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1996, left in ruins after Hurricane Fran struck the tiny beach town of North Topsail in early September. Nearly every house received major damage from the storm. Preparation for a storm season is incumbent on consumers to strengthen existing properties now or construct new homes or major remodel projects as best they can to fend off storm damage this year and in succeeding years. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)