Could Be A Historic Night…

| September 12, 2008 @ 7:40 am | 8 Replies

On the morning of Saturday, September 8, 1900, Isaac Cline, the Weather Bureau Chief at Galveston rode his horse down to the beach. He was alarmed to see beach standing on the beach watching the huge waves. He urged them to get out while they could. For 8,000 of the people who did not or could not heed his warning, they would not survive until Sunday morning.

This morning’s Isaac Cline is the reporters…they are watching in amazement as water inundates areas around Galveston Bay, including the west end of the island…some reports from ABC13 Houston…West side of Galveston Island. Water over road from Jamaica Beach. Water already as high as it was at HEIGHT of Alicia. Waves breaking over seawall. Seawall may be inundated due to the size and power of this hurricane. Reporters are in disbelief that this is happening more than 12 hours in advance of landfall. Long time residents cannot believe and many that have always stayed are leaving now.

Seawall is 16-17 feet high. Galveston tide is now a little more than 4 feet above water.

Some waters were already being reported to be flowing in the streets in the Galveston Strand district.

Watch Houston television live

Tide 4.2 feet above mean sea level now at entrance to Galveston Bay. Tides along Upper Texas/Southwest Louisiana coast running at that level.

Great tide gauge information…

Station 42361 – Shell Oil Platform at 27.5 92.5 or 200 miles southeast of Galveston reports sustained winds NE 93 knots (108 mph). Anemometer is at 360 feet above ocean. Barometer down to 28.67 inches.

Mid Gulf Buoy 210 miles south of Southwest Pass LA: SSE gusting to 54 mph…wave heights 24.6 feet. This is about 120 miles southeast of the center of the hurricane.

Buoy 25 miles east of Galveston…wave heights 16.7 feet.

Buoy reports…

TEXAS/LOUISIANA COASTAL
Lake Charles NE 22 G 29 with a peak gust to 37 mph
Beaumont…NE 18 G 27 mph
Galveston…NE 25 G 33…peak gust 35 mph
Houston Hobby…NNE 10 G 20 mph
Bay City…N 12 mph

DISTRESS CALL
584 foot freighter stranded 90 mile southeast of Galveston…22 crew members

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About the Author ()

Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site's official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site's severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorian

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