“Since 1851, 63 hurricanes have struck the Texas coast.  That is one every three years on average.  “The official Hurricane Guide includes Inundation Maps by region.

To download “Hurricane 101” Power Point Presentation by Scott Cordero Meteorologist In Charge, National Weather Service, Corpus Christi, TX CLICK HERE (This is a large file 54mg it will take time to download depending on your Internet speed)

The major elements of a Hurricane are:

• Storm Surge
• Damaging Winds
• Tornadoes
• Inland Flooding

Storm Surge & Tornadoes

In September 11, 1961 Hurricane Carla, consider the 8^th most intensive hurricane in US, where half million Texans were evacuated, became the largest peacetime evacuation in US history.  The storm surge penetrated 10 miles inland, 26 tornadoes touched down and damages were reported as far as Dallas.

Inland Flooding

“I was told I wasn’t in a flood plain” Atlanta, 2009

In most cases people forget that flood can be produced by heavy rainfall.  Business owners also forget that Flood Insurance is a separate insurance policy. 

In Houston destructive flooding has been reported as early as 1843.  In 1976, approximately 10 inches of rain fell in a six-hour period in southern Harris County. Flooding and damage was extensive, but the most heavily affected area was the Texas Medical Center, where damages exceeded $20 million.  In 1998, Tropical Storm Frances, caused significant street flooding with 15 inches of rain. Again in 2001 the Texas Medical Center was affected by another Tropical Storm: Allison; with a total measured rainfall of 14.8 inches and with over 8.5 inches recorded in just two hours.  The aftermath of the storm was unparallel and unpredictable.  In 2008, Hurricane Ike generated around 8 inches of total rainfall.

In lieu of studies rapid development in Houston and other coastal cities does not allow us to have a precise picture of the potential damage of a flood.

On May 27, 2010, NOAA unveiled the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast. The forecast calls for an 85% chance of an above normal hurricane season, with the possibility of an extremely active season with 20+ storms possible, including the likelihood of 3-7 major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater).

2010 Hurricane names: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, Walter.

We invite all of you to get a discussion going.  Please submit your comments at the end of this article, Thanks.