Hurricane Ike storm surge

THE CENTER OF IKE WILL BE VERY NEAR THE UPPER-TEXAS COAST BY LATE FRIDAY.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF UP TO 20 FT ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE EAST OF WHERE THE CENTER OF IKE MAKES LANDFALL...

National hurricane warning center - Hurricane Ike

Here is an animation of the effect of a 20 ft. storm surge on Galveston, Texas. The town has a population of almost 60,000. The elevation of Galveston is 7 feet (2 meters).