Shana, I don't know the geography of S.E. Texas too well, (but N.W. of San Antonio is the "Hill Country", so there must be some elevation.

Ralph, I see your point, but the path Charlie took is the Highlands Ridge (Polk, Orange, Lake Counties, etc.) Not exactly a mountain chain, but it never did break up the circulation enough to elevate the highest surface winds. My point was a major hurricane, moving along at a fast clip brings inland winds to places that don't see more than an occasional Severe T.S. (Remeber the damage from Hugo all the way to Columbia & Charlotte...)