Houston is helped slightly by the fact that it's about 40-50 miles away from the coast (which usually takes 30-40 mph off of a hurricane's bite, having gone through Alicia (1983) I can attest to that), though the flatness of the terrain often causes flooding problems (Allison 2001).
I wonder if they've revised the sea level for Houston since I was in school several decades ago. Back then they taught us Houston was 6-10 feet below sea level.
I moved from Houston in '81 so missed Alicia. I was 9 when Carla came through and even though Houston didn't bare the brunt, I remember the high winds and rain. We lived off of San Felipe, Voss and Woodway in SW part of town. The last lot on our street was under construction and all of the neighbors took pictures of the unsecured lumber left by the construction people in case claims needed to be filed. Thankfully the lumber didn't cause any problems and we only lost a tree in the front yard.
I remember rumors/ herbal legends that during the big Alaska earthquake, Houston ROSE six inches, and a friend swore that he felt it while driving- in Louisiana!
"wonder if they've revised the sea level for Houston since I was in school several decades ago. Back then they taught us Houston was 6-10 feet below sea level"
If Houston were below sea level, it would need the same type levee system that NO has. Houston is very close to sea level but not below it