squarebear is right.
Please remember tham a hig percentage of the people that live in Hurricane Alley are from the poor/very poor wage groups.
Thus the wooden buildings(which are the cheapest to build,and buy) are often the only option left open tho this group of the population.
It is only businesses,and those in the higher earning bracket that can afford brick homes.
Also many(but not all) of the wooden buildings are old and regarded as historic.
Brick costs more in this area,as it cannot be made there,and has to be imported,stone is practically non existent there,but wood(was) originally easily available.