Many houses along the Gulf Coast are built on stilts. What purpose does this design most likely serve?

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Many houses along the Gulf Coast are built on stilts. The purpose that this design most likely serves is to protect the house from flooding.

Cities and towns around the Gulf Coast are great places to live but they have to take some measures because the often are hit by hurricanes and heavy storms that cause floodings. That is why these houses along the Gulf Coast are built on stilts. To protect them from flooding. This is a preventive measure that allows the owners of the houses to be better protected.

Most houses built on stilts are built solely for the purpose of not accumulating water damage from hurricanes and other "flood causing" catastrophes.