Galveston Under Water…
On September 8, 1900, Galveston was struck by the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history. The category four hurricane and its winds of 135 mph and 15 foot storm surge killed 6,000-12,000 people. The prosperous Texas seaport decided that raising all of the buildings and constructing a sewall was the answer to protect the city from future hurricanes.
It has worked. The first test came in 1915 when a similar hurricane to the 1900 storm pushed a 12 foot storm surge into the city. Fifty three people died.
In 1983, Alicia strengthened rapidly before landfall but the fact that it had not been a hurricane for long and it was very small meant little storm surge and Galveston escaped without inundation. The City’s good luck has run out tonight.
Galveston Emergency Management reports 6 feet of water in the Galveston County Courthouse in downtown Galveston.
LATE WIND REPORTS
HOUSTON/WILL HOBBY,TX (HOU) ASOS reports gust of 72.0 knots (84 mph) from NNW @ 0715Z (2:15 a.m. CDT…Pressure 28.63…KHOU 130715Z 34050G72KT 1/2SM -RA FG FEW004 BKN016 OVC021 24/23 A2863 RMK AO2 PK WND 34072/0715 PRESFR P0037
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About the Author (Author Profile)
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 @wxhistorianSubscribe
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