Page 66 - Sept 2023 Galveston Monthly

arOuNd The islaNd | a lOOK baCK

The 1900 STorm - SePTember 8, 1900

t the dawn of the twentieth century, Galveston was and deadly. By early afternoon, citizens grew nervous
a thriving, sophisticated community. its deep-water about the weather. The tide rose rapidly, and the wind
aharbor and port, the only one of its kind in Texas, increased at an alarming rate.
was the leading exporter of a number of commodities, By mid-afternoon, much of the city was underwater. from
especially cotton. The booming economy funded fanciful, the early evening until midnight, the city of Galveston bore
elaborate architecture, grand social events, and the most the brunt of the hurricane.
up-to-date conveniences available. The oncoming 1900 it is estimated that winds reached more than 120 mph,
Storm would change that. with a storm surge of almost sixteen feet, reducing 3,600
for all its advantages, the island city was in a precarious structures to rubble. in the neighborhoods located closest
position. it was extremely vulnerable to the Gulf waters. to the beach, entire blocks were swept clean.
Before 1900, the highest point of elevation was not quite The following morning, survivors woke to a calm, beautiful
nine feet above sea level. sea, giving little evidence of the havoc wrought hours
Despite the obvious danger, Galvestonians had grown earlier. The damage was massive. Almost every family was
complacent in their city. it had been many years since touched by the loss of a loved one or friend.
a severe storm ravaged the city. The rising tides, known At least 6,000 people perished from a pre-storm
locally as “overflows,” provided excitement rather than population of 37,700. financial losses were estimated at
fear. a staggering $30 million. in terms of loss of life, The 1900
The morning of September 8, 1900 dawned with little Storm is the worst natural disaster experienced in the
fanfare in Galveston. families went about their daily united States to date.
business, paying little attention to the downpours falling This month marks a milestone - the 123rd anniversary of
over the city. The heavy rains were part of a hurricane, The 1900 Storm. Roughly one in six residents were killed, Image courtesy of Rosenberg Library
but most Galvestonians were not alarmed. Tropical storms many of whom survived the storm itself but expired unable
struck regularly, although it had been many years since an to free themselves from the debris. One in four were left
intense storm had struck the island city. homeless and 1,900 acres of developed land were scraped
The might of this particular storm proved to be dangerous clean by an enraged Gulf. GM

66 | GALVESTON MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2023