Before an after pictures of Hurricane Ike by the USGS. Stuff does remain on Galveston and Bolivar.

USGS pictures on Google Maps.

And the Gustav link for our Louisiana friends.

SciTechBlog blog on CNN points out that the actual surge was less than predicted.

100 AM CDT FRI SEP 12 2008

“COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF UP TO 20 FEET 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… SURGE FLOODING OF UP TO 25 FEET COULD OCCUR AT THE HEADS OF BAYS.”
(National Hurricane Center, Miami, FL)
The National Hurricane Center predicted huge storm surges that, for most areas on the coast, didn’t happen. Had those dire predictions been true, the chemical and oil refineries along Galveston Bay could have taken a much larger hit.

These are the actual recorded surge heights:

STORM SURGE Max Heights in FEET (Tidal Surges Will Vary .5’-2’) TEXAS

–Galveston 

Galveston State Pleasure Pier.. 11.19’
Rollover Pass……………… 11.06’
Eagle Point……………….. 10.75’
Port of Galveston Pier 21…… 10.25’

–Harris County 

Manchester………………… 11.74’
Morgans Point……………… 7.76’
Battleship Texas State Park…. 6.11’

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA –Jefferson 

Sabine Pass……………….. 12.54’
Texas Point……………….. 11.79’
Port Arthur……………….. 11.25’
Rainbow Bridge…………….. 9.29’