ABSTRACT 



Nineteen hurricanes of record since 1900 are used to derive a 

 surge-frequency relationship representative of the entire Texas Coast. 

 Pure statistical methods were not used because of the small number of 

 recorded hurricanes and the lack of recorded data from early storms. 

 The available data are treated by logic and reasoning to derive 

 probable surge frequencies. 



A method is proposed for assigning frequencies to water levels 

 of hypothetical hurricanes with various prescribed values of hurricane 

 parameters - central pressure index, forward speed, and radius of maxi- 

 mimi winds. Also a method is presented for estimating surge frequency 

 in inland bays and adjacent regions subject to flooding by hurricanes. 



Results are presented in tables and curves. As new data become 

 available, the developed curves can be refined. 



FOREWORD 



CERC is publishing this report to provide coastal engineers with 

 a method of predicting return frequencies of hurricanes crossing the 

 Texas Coast. The paper also gives a direct approach to the problems 

 of surge heights along the open coast and in semienclosed bays. 



The author, B. R. Bodine, transferred to the Coastal Engineering 

 Research Center from the Galveston District, U. S. Army Corps of 

 Engineers, Galveston, Texas. The preliminary report was prepared 

 at Galveston; this final version was prepared at CERC under the 

 supervision of George M. Watts, Chief of the Engineering Development 

 Division. 



The author expresses his appreciation to J. W. Woodward of the 

 Galveston District, and to L. R. Beard, Chief of the Hydrologic 

 Engineering Center, Sacramento District, Corps of Engineers, for 

 their assistance and suggestions. 



At the time of publication. Lieutenant Colonel Myron Dow Snoke 

 was Director of CERC; Joseph M. Caldwell was Technical Director. 



NOTE: Comments on this publication are invited. Discussion will be 

 published in the next issue of the CERC Bulletin. 



This report is published under authority of Public Law l66, T9th 

 Congress, approved July 31, 19^5, as supplemented by Public Law 172, 

 88th Congress, approved November T, 1963. 



