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Research Projects » Hurricane Ike (2008) » Inundation and High Water Maps
Hurricane Ike (September 2008)
Inundation and High Water Maps
Ike will forever be remembered for its large and significant storm surge. Although just under the wind speed
criteria for a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), Ike produced the greatest storm surge along the Texas coast since Hurricane Carla (Category 4)
made landfall near Port Lavaca in 1961. Ike also produced a greater storm surge than that produced by Hurricane Alicia (1983), which was the last
major landfalling hurricane (Category 3) for southeast Texas. Ike was approximately four times larger than Alicia when comparing the size of the
hurricane force wind fields. The highest storm surge occurred on the Bolivar Peninsula and in parts of Chambers County (including the east side of
Galveston Bay), roughly between the Galveston Bay entrance and just northeast of High Island. Complete tide gauge records for this area are
unavailable since many of the sensors failed from salt water intrusion and large wave action, although ground assessment teams determined that the
surge was generally between 15 and 20 feet. The highest water mark was 17.5 feet located about ten miles inland in Chambers County. Much of
the southern part of Chambers County was also inundated by at least 10 feet of water. Storm surge levels on Galveston Island and on the west
side of Galveston Bay are estimated to be between 10 and 15 feet. The highest inundation, of at least 10 feet, occurred on the bay side of
Galveston Island, the coast of mainland Galveston County, as well as over Apffel Park at the northern tip of Galveston Island where Ike made landfall.
Farther to the south, a storm surge of 5 to 10 feet was recorded in Brazoria County, including near Freeport. The remainder of the Texas coast
south of Brazoria County recorded surge heights of 2 to 5 feet.
Additional storm surge information can be found on our
Ike Storm Surge Page. See the Lake Charles National Weather Service Office
Hurricane Ike Storm Surge Inundation Maps Page
for impacts on counties and parishes further up the coast.
Entire Impact Area
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Galveston Bay Area High Water Marks
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Galveston County
Inundation Depth
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High Water Marks
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Chambers County
Inundation Depth
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High Water Marks
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Harris County
Inundation Depth
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High Water Marks
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Brazoria County
Inundation Depth
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High Water Marks
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