Member-only story

Surviving the Galveston Hurricane: An Eye on History

Gustavo Cox

·13.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Surviving The Galveston Hurricane (Eye On History Graphic Illustrated)

4 min read · 1 month before

567 View Claps

88 Respond

Save

Listen

The Galveston Hurricane Of 1900 Surviving The Galveston Hurricane (Eye On History Graphic Illustrated)

On September 8, 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in American history struck the city of Galveston, Texas. The Galveston Hurricane, a Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 140 miles per hour, devastated the island city, killing an estimated 8,000 people and destroying over 3,600 homes.

Surviving The Galveston Hurricane (Eye On History Graphic Illustrated)

by Joann Cleland

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11209 KB
Print length	:	32 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The hurricane's impact on Galveston was catastrophic. The storm surge, a wall of water as high as 15 feet, flooded the city, sweeping away buildings and drowning countless people. The wind ripped through the city, tearing down houses and uprooting trees. The damage was so extensive that it took years for Galveston to rebuild.

The Storm

The Galveston Hurricane formed in the Caribbean Sea on September 5, 1900. The storm rapidly intensified as it moved westward, and by the time it reached the Gulf of Mexico, it was a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane made landfall on Galveston Island on September 8, 1900, at 11:00 p.m.

The storm surge was the most destructive aspect of the hurricane. The wall of water swept through the city, destroying buildings and drowning countless people. The wind also caused widespread damage, tearing down houses and uprooting trees. The storm surge and wind combined to create a deadly combination that devastated Galveston.

The Aftermath

The Galveston Hurricane left a lasting impact on the city. The storm's death toll of 8,000 people made it the deadliest natural disaster in American history. The hurricane also destroyed over 3,600 homes and businesses, leaving thousands of people homeless.

The city of Galveston was forced to rebuild after the hurricane. The city raised the level of the island by 17 feet to protect it from future storms. The city also built a seawall to protect the city from storm surges. The seawall has been successful in protecting Galveston from hurricanes, and the city has not been hit by a major hurricane since 1900.

Lessons Learned

The Galveston Hurricane taught us many lessons about how to prepare for and respond to hurricanes. The storm surge was the most destructive aspect of the hurricane, and we now know that it is important to evacuate low-lying areas before a hurricane makes landfall. The wind also caused widespread damage, and we now know that it is important to secure our homes and property before a hurricane strikes.

The Galveston Hurricane also taught us the importance of community. In the aftermath of the storm, the people of Galveston came together to help each other rebuild their lives. We learned that we can overcome even the most devastating disasters when we work together.

The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 was a devastating event that left a lasting impact on the city of Galveston. The storm's death toll of 8,000 people made it the deadliest natural disaster in American history. The hurricane also destroyed over 3,600 homes and businesses, leaving thousands of people homeless.

The Galveston Hurricane taught us many lessons about how to prepare for and respond to hurricanes. We learned that it is important to evacuate low-lying areas before a hurricane makes landfall. We also learned that it is important to secure our homes and property before a hurricane strikes. We learned that we can overcome even the most devastating disasters when we work together.

The Galveston Hurricane is a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for natural disasters. We must never forget the lessons that we learned from this tragic event.

Surviving The Galveston Hurricane (Eye On History Graphic Illustrated)

by Joann Cleland

4.5 out of 5