That's why I said SOME parts of Houston are safe from the STORM SURGE. Not all areas (especially those East of I-45 and the Beltway up to I-10). And other areas are not necessarily safe from ancillary flooding or wind damage. But I'd rather be in my house than trapped in a broken down car on an Interstate during a hurricane.
Either way could be bad and it may depend on your elevation. Being 15 feet below the height of the storm surge can turn your home into a coffin (as we saw in New Orleans). I wonder what wind speeds the average automobiles window glass is rated for ? Would have to be higher then 120 mph ? Anyone have that data ? Of course it wont matter if the air is full of flying debris.