Texas Storm Surge Models

Computed using NOAA's SLOSH (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes) storm surge model.

	Maximum Of the Maximum Envelope Of Waters

These maximum storm tide images show the expected high water from the combination of a hurricane's storm surge plus an extra adjustment in case the storm hits at high tide. These so-called "MOMs" (Maximum Of the Maximum Envelope Of Waters) are computed using NOAA's SLOSH (Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes) storm surge model. These plots are the MAXIMUM high water for a mid-strength hurricane of each Saffir-Simpson Category moving at the worst possible angle at the worst possible forward speed. As such, this plot is the combination of SLOSH runs from over 50 different simulated hurricanes approaching the coast at different angles and different forward speeds. The maximums plotted here will only occur along about a 20-mile stretch of the coast on the right front side of where the hurricane makes landfall. SLOSH model runs are advertised as being in error by plus or minus 20%.

SLOSH is the primary model used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is also the basis for Hurricane Evacuation Studies (HES).

Port Arthur: