Some confusion (in comments here) on the Galveston info. US Census 2006 estimate for Galveston County is 283,000. However, Galveston Island is only one part of Galveston County. Galveston city is smaller still, and has a population of 57,523. Given the performance of our press, whether the comment was really supposed to be for the city, island, or county is anyone’s guess. Most or all of the city is covered by the seawall, at 17.5 feet in height. That will not stop water from coming around the back side, and if Ike holds the surge in the bay long enough that can happen.