Simulated water levels, current directions, and significant wave heights for the WLD. A) Water level drops before storm surge; B) Water level rises at peak storm surge; C) Water level rises during high tides; D) Significant wave height distribution at peak storm surge; E) Significant wave height distribution during high tides. Water level drops significantly before the hurricane system approaches the deltaic area due to dominated offshore winds during that period. Water level then rises when the hurricane pushes water onto the delta. The water level rise caused by Hurricane Rita is ~5 times higher than that under normal conditions (dominated by tides). The significant wave height caused by Hurricane Rita is ~3 times higher than that under normal conditions. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.125.f6