Galveston’s Hurricane History

Presentation by Lew FincherHurricane Historian

Galveston County Historical MuseumHurricane Consulting, Inc.

54 Tropical Cyclones Tracked Within 60 NM of 54 Tropical Cyclones Tracked Within 60 NM of GalvestonGalveston

1851 – 20031851 – 2003

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22 Hurricanes Tracked Within 60 NM of The City of Galveston

1851 - 2003Note – 1961 Hurricane Carla made landfall 123 Miles from Galveston (not on map)

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Hurricane of November 1527

• This is the first record known of a hurricane along the Texas coastline

• Destroyed a merchant fleet on Galveston Island.

• Up to 200 lives were taken by the storm.

• It struck during the month of November

Hurricane of September 4th, 1766• Hurricane hits Galveston.

• A mission, located in what is now considered Chambers County, was destroyed.

• Storm surges of 7 feet flooded the area.

• A richly-laden treasure fleet of 5 galleons en route from Vera Cruz to Havana was driven ashore

The Hurricane of Mid-September, 1818

• The Storm Lasted 36 Hours

• Lafitte Suffered Largely

• Lost 4 Vessels With All Aboard

• Many On The Island Drown as 4 Feet of the Gulf Flowed Over the Island

• His Town Destroyed Except For His Headquarters

October 6th, 1837: Racer's Storm

• The first recorded storm to rake the entire coast was Racer's The first recorded storm to rake the entire coast was Racer's Storm on October 5th, named for a British sloop of war which Storm on October 5th, named for a British sloop of war which encountered the storm in the extreme Northwest Caribbean on encountered the storm in the extreme Northwest Caribbean on September 28th. It is remembered as one of the most September 28th. It is remembered as one of the most destructive storms of the 19th century due to its extreme destructive storms of the 19th century due to its extreme duration and 2000 mile long path of destruction.duration and 2000 mile long path of destruction.

• It’s track passed Galveston and left the “New” Tremont Hotel It’s track passed Galveston and left the “New” Tremont Hotel was blown down.was blown down.

• A storm surge of 6 to 7 feet higher than the spring tide A storm surge of 6 to 7 feet higher than the spring tide inundated Galveston. Water levels at Houston rose 4 feet. inundated Galveston. Water levels at Houston rose 4 feet.

• The old Mexican customhouse was the only building remaining The old Mexican customhouse was the only building remaining standing, where over 80 sold people took shelterstanding, where over 80 sold people took shelter

• The whole character of the harbor entrance shifted during the The whole character of the harbor entrance shifted during the hurricane. Ships were shoved as far as 3 miles inlandhurricane. Ships were shoved as far as 3 miles inland

• It was 4 days after the storm before relief supplies were It was 4 days after the storm before relief supplies were received from Houston. received from Houston.

Hurricane of September 17-19th, 1854

• Hurricane hit Matagorda/Galveston. The main impact Hurricane hit Matagorda/Galveston. The main impact of the storm was around Matagorda and Lavaca of the storm was around Matagorda and Lavaca Bays. The town of Matagorda was leveled. Bays. The town of Matagorda was leveled.

• Merchants on the Strand and Market Streets in Merchants on the Strand and Market Streets in Galveston suffered much water damage from the Galveston suffered much water damage from the storm surge. storm surge.

• Brazoria also encountered strong winds from the Brazoria also encountered strong winds from the storm. Crops of sugar cane and cotton were ruined. storm. Crops of sugar cane and cotton were ruined.

• The little steamer Nick Hill went down near Dollar The little steamer Nick Hill went down near Dollar Point, in Galveston Bay. The steamer Kate Ward and Point, in Galveston Bay. The steamer Kate Ward and her crew proved a total loss.  her crew proved a total loss. 

Hurricane of September 14-16th, 1875

• In Galveston, northeast winds began on the night of the 14th. The wind was In Galveston, northeast winds began on the night of the 14th. The wind was "higher and harder" than in 1867. By the 17th, the tide had risen to 6.48 feet "higher and harder" than in 1867. By the 17th, the tide had risen to 6.48 feet above mean low water. Tides up to 10 feet were seen around Galveston Island. above mean low water. Tides up to 10 feet were seen around Galveston Island.

• Winds were highest from the northwest, 60 mph, after the storm passed by. Winds were highest from the northwest, 60 mph, after the storm passed by. Some in the area estimated winds of 110 mph. Some in the area estimated winds of 110 mph.

• Two channels were cut across the east end of the Island, with one prolonging Two channels were cut across the east end of the Island, with one prolonging the Bolivar Channel. Boats were pushed 5 miles inland. the Bolivar Channel. Boats were pushed 5 miles inland.

• *”… Galveston escaped by only an hour what occurred in 1900 as the biggest *”… Galveston escaped by only an hour what occurred in 1900 as the biggest channel was cut by the shift in the wind from the North, bringing all the water channel was cut by the shift in the wind from the North, bringing all the water piled up by the South wind and storm surge along the coast which was piled up by the South wind and storm surge along the coast which was reported to have reached up to 37 feet in Buffalo Bayou near Houston. In 25 reported to have reached up to 37 feet in Buffalo Bayou near Houston. In 25 minutes, it had cut the island in half, a channel 250 feet wide and 25 feet deep minutes, it had cut the island in half, a channel 250 feet wide and 25 feet deep at the East end of the island near Ft. Point. Just as the land was washing away at the East end of the island near Ft. Point. Just as the land was washing away like sugar in water, the wind shifted and stopped the cutting. 15 minutes more like sugar in water, the wind shifted and stopped the cutting. 15 minutes more and a hundred houses would have been carried out to sea.” – Editor Nathan C. and a hundred houses would have been carried out to sea.” – Editor Nathan C. Green Green

• Indianola was struck again hard. There was a disastrous inundation from Indianola was struck again hard. There was a disastrous inundation from Matagorda Bay. Three-fourths of the town was swept away...176 lives were Matagorda Bay. Three-fourths of the town was swept away...176 lives were lost. The highest wind measured was 88 m.p.h., when the anemometer blew lost. The highest wind measured was 88 m.p.h., when the anemometer blew away. Winds were estimated to be near 100 m.p.h. at the storm's peak. The away. Winds were estimated to be near 100 m.p.h. at the storm's peak. The storm surge was estimated near 15 feet.storm surge was estimated near 15 feet.

Hurricane of August 19-20th, 1886

• Indianola suffered another calamity from a hurricane. Indianola suffered another calamity from a hurricane. • In Galveston, winds were "furiously from the southeast" at In Galveston, winds were "furiously from the southeast" at

10 am on the 19th, causing area sand to reduce visibility to 10 am on the 19th, causing area sand to reduce visibility to near zero Winds increased until 5 P.M., and remained high near zero Winds increased until 5 P.M., and remained high until noon on the 20th; 50 mph at 10 am. until noon on the 20th; 50 mph at 10 am.

• Houses careened in the storm surge after midnight. Wires Houses careened in the storm surge after midnight. Wires and trees were downed, bridges submerged, and and trees were downed, bridges submerged, and communication was cut off. communication was cut off.

• In Houston, winds increased to gale force at 930 am on the In Houston, winds increased to gale force at 930 am on the 19th. The height of the bayou rose 5-6 feet during the 19th. The height of the bayou rose 5-6 feet during the storm.  storm. 

• New Research from the NOAA Hurricane Research Division New Research from the NOAA Hurricane Research Division have labeled this storm as a Category 5 just before landfall.have labeled this storm as a Category 5 just before landfall.

The Great Galveston Hurricane of September 7-8, 1900

• The Last and Worst Hurricane of the 19th CenturyThe Last and Worst Hurricane of the 19th Century• On the 6th, a hurricane watch was posted along the Gulf On the 6th, a hurricane watch was posted along the Gulf

Coast westward to New Orleans. By the 7th, it was Coast westward to New Orleans. By the 7th, it was extended further to include Texas. extended further to include Texas.

• Many people ignored the warning. Many people ignored the warning. • Isaac Cline of the Weather Bureau could not believe Isaac Cline of the Weather Bureau could not believe

what was happening. He took matters into his own what was happening. He took matters into his own hands and rode down the beach in a horse-drawn hands and rode down the beach in a horse-drawn buggy with his brother, warning people to go back to buggy with his brother, warning people to go back to the mainland - in effect, making him a modern day Paul the mainland - in effect, making him a modern day Paul Revere. Unfortunately, few listened. Revere. Unfortunately, few listened.

• 8000 – 12000 Lost Their Lives8000 – 12000 Lost Their Lives

1900 Storm SLOSH MEOW

Hurricane of August 16th, 1915Hurricane of August 16th, 1915

• A monstrous hurricane A monstrous hurricane • Many people with memories of the 1900 hurricane still Many people with memories of the 1900 hurricane still

fresh in their mind, fled inlandfresh in their mind, fled inland• Storm surges of 12 feet were seen at Galveston, inundating Storm surges of 12 feet were seen at Galveston, inundating

the business district to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. Many houses the business district to a depth of 5 or 6 feet. Many houses were demolished and all beach front bathhouses were were demolished and all beach front bathhouses were washed away. washed away.

• A storm surge of 15.3 feet above mean low gulf was noted A storm surge of 15.3 feet above mean low gulf was noted at Virginia Point. at Virginia Point.

• Despite ample warnings from the Weather Bureau 24 hours Despite ample warnings from the Weather Bureau 24 hours in advance, 275 people died in the storm (12 on Galveston in advance, 275 people died in the storm (12 on Galveston Island, none of which were behind the seawall). Island, none of which were behind the seawall).

The Surprise Hurricane – July 27, 1943

Winds Recorded Up To 132 mph

Hurricane of July 27, 1943Hurricane of July 27, 1943

• The Surprise Hurricane aka The Secret StormThe Surprise Hurricane aka The Secret Storm• War censorship came into question during War censorship came into question during

this hurricane. this hurricane. • Landfall over Bolivar @ 75 mphLandfall over Bolivar @ 75 mph• Winds at Texas City @ 105 mphWinds at Texas City @ 105 mph• Gusts Recorded inland over 130 mphGusts Recorded inland over 130 mph• Sank the USACOE Dredge, USS GalvestonSank the USACOE Dredge, USS Galveston• Old-timers after Carla said the “43” was the Old-timers after Carla said the “43” was the

worst since the 1915 Stormworst since the 1915 Storm

Hurricane Carla - September 14th, 1961

• Made landfall near Port Lavaca 123 Miles from Made landfall near Port Lavaca 123 Miles from GalvestonGalveston

• Produced many tornadoes, 175 mph gusts, torrential Produced many tornadoes, 175 mph gusts, torrential rains, and a 22 foot storm surge at Port O'Connorrains, and a 22 foot storm surge at Port O'Connor

• One tornado of the 3-4 that struck Galveston tore One tornado of the 3-4 that struck Galveston tore apart 120 buildings and killed 6. Structures outside apart 120 buildings and killed 6. Structures outside the seawall were severely damaged by the storm the seawall were severely damaged by the storm surge. surge.

• Galveston’s official highest sustained winds during Galveston’s official highest sustained winds during Carla reached 85 mph. (Cat. 1 Strength)Carla reached 85 mph. (Cat. 1 Strength)

• The Causeway was cut off for evacuation 48 hrs. The Causeway was cut off for evacuation 48 hrs. before landfall.before landfall.

1983 Hurricane Alicia, August 17th, 19831983 Hurricane Alicia, August 17th, 1983

• Born from a weak frontal trough drifted in the Born from a weak frontal trough drifted in the Northern Gulf of Mexico on the night of August 14th. Northern Gulf of Mexico on the night of August 14th.

• Alicia, a tropical storm, by the afternoon of the 15th Alicia, a tropical storm, by the afternoon of the 15th and a hurricane by the afternoon of the 16th. and a hurricane by the afternoon of the 16th.

• Hurricane Alicia struck the coast at around 2 am on Hurricane Alicia struck the coast at around 2 am on August 17th near San Louis Pass.August 17th near San Louis Pass.

• Fifty to 200 feet of Galveston Island's coast eroded Fifty to 200 feet of Galveston Island's coast eroded away away

• Redfish Reef was cut in two.Redfish Reef was cut in two.• Hit Downtown Houston as a Tropical StormHit Downtown Houston as a Tropical Storm• It weakened into a tropical depression as it passed It weakened into a tropical depression as it passed

east of College Station.  east of College Station. 

1989 Hurricane Jerry

• Weak Cat 1 Hurricane

• Last Hurricane To make Landfall In The Houston / Galveston Area

• HAVE WE FORGOTTEN?

2003 Hurricane Claudette Near Its Closest Point From Galveston – 80 Miles2003 Hurricane Claudette Near Its Closest Point From Galveston – 80 Miles

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• The First Hurricane in 25 Years and it’s The First Hurricane in 25 Years and it’s the worst ever? (Andrew Survivor)the worst ever? (Andrew Survivor)

265 Major Hurricanes Have Terrorized The Atlantic Basin Since 1851265 Major Hurricanes Have Terrorized The Atlantic Basin Since 1851 Our Hurricane Advisor Provides Answers When You Need Them The Most

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