Galveston 1900 StormGalveston 1900 Storm

The Deadliest Natural Disaster in U.S. The Deadliest Natural Disaster in U.S. HistoryHistory

Galveston Before the StormGalveston Before the Storm

In 1900 Galveston was one of the In 1900 Galveston was one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S.wealthiest cities in the U.S.

It was quickly becoming the New It was quickly becoming the New York City of the south.York City of the south.

Families moved here in hopes of a Families moved here in hopes of a better future.better future.

By 1900 the population of Galveston By 1900 the population of Galveston was more than 35,000.was more than 35,000.

Galveston Before the StormGalveston Before the Storm

Galveston was the most important Galveston was the most important seaport in Texas. seaport in Texas.

More than 70 percent of the More than 70 percent of the country's cotton crop at the time country's cotton crop at the time passed through the port of passed through the port of Galveston.Galveston.

Galveston was first in the state to Galveston was first in the state to have first electricity and telephones. have first electricity and telephones.

September 8, 1900September 8, 1900

The morning of the storm brought The morning of the storm brought rain and bigger waves than usual. rain and bigger waves than usual.

But, no one was worried. They did But, no one was worried. They did not think anything of it and went on not think anything of it and went on with daily life.with daily life.

Kids continued to play in the sea and Kids continued to play in the sea and men went on to work just like they men went on to work just like they did every day.did every day.

September 8, 1900September 8, 1900

The weather grew progressively worse as The weather grew progressively worse as the day rolled on.the day rolled on.

Isaac Cline, the local meteorologist, raised Isaac Cline, the local meteorologist, raised the storm flag and went up and down the the storm flag and went up and down the beach warning everyone.beach warning everyone.

But by then it was too late.But by then it was too late. The city was as flat as the beach and had The city was as flat as the beach and had

no protection from the 15.7’ swell that no protection from the 15.7’ swell that swept over Galveston.swept over Galveston.

September 8, 1900September 8, 1900

People sought shelter, but with over People sought shelter, but with over 120mph winds and a huge storm 120mph winds and a huge storm surge, no one was truly safe.surge, no one was truly safe.

The storm hit late afternoon and The storm hit late afternoon and carried on throughout the night.carried on throughout the night.

When day broke residents were in When day broke residents were in disbelief of the destruction left from disbelief of the destruction left from the storm.the storm.

A boy sits on top of all the debris after the 1900 storm. He is smiling and happy to be alive.

The Destruction of the The Destruction of the StormStorm

Over 6,000 people were deadOver 6,000 people were dead

3,600 buildings were destroyed3,600 buildings were destroyed

Damage costs totaled over $20 Damage costs totaled over $20 millionmillion

Where thousands of buildings once stood, nothing was left but piles of rubble.

The inside of St. Patrick’s Church after the storm.

The Days After the StormThe Days After the Storm

Thousands of bodies littered the town.Thousands of bodies littered the town. Makeshift morgues were created so that Makeshift morgues were created so that

loved ones could identify the bodies.loved ones could identify the bodies. But, the bodies were too numerous and But, the bodies were too numerous and

people began to be buried were they lay. people began to be buried were they lay. Some were buried at sea, but soon washed Some were buried at sea, but soon washed

back on to the shore.back on to the shore. There was no other choice than to begin There was no other choice than to begin

burning the bodies.burning the bodies.

Pathways were made through the debris so people could get around.

Those who could not bear the destruction and who had nothing left for them in Galveston, boarded ships to the mainland in hopes of starting over.

The Days After the StormThe Days After the Storm

The bridge from the mainland to The bridge from the mainland to Galveston was destroyed in the Galveston was destroyed in the storm but rebuilt in 11 days.storm but rebuilt in 11 days.

Food and supplies could now be sent Food and supplies could now be sent to this devastated area.to this devastated area.

People began picking up the debris People began picking up the debris and tried to locate loved ones.and tried to locate loved ones.

1900 Storm Memorial1900 Storm Memorial

This statue sits This statue sits along the sea wall along the sea wall in Galveston.in Galveston.

It is a memorial to It is a memorial to all the lives lost in all the lives lost in the 1900 storm.the 1900 storm.

Building the Sea WallBuilding the Sea Wall

A sea wall was built to protect against A sea wall was built to protect against future storms.future storms.

The sea wall measured 3 miles long, 16 The sea wall measured 3 miles long, 16 feet at its base, and 5 feet wide on top, feet at its base, and 5 feet wide on top, and 17 feet high. and 17 feet high.

The sea wall took two years to build from The sea wall took two years to build from 1902-1904.1902-1904.

The outer face of the Seawall was curved The outer face of the Seawall was curved to carry waves upwards. to carry waves upwards.

The sea wall as it stands today. Murals were painted to make it more attractive to tourists.

Raising the CityRaising the City

It was recommended the city be It was recommended the city be raised 17 feet at the sea wall and raised 17 feet at the sea wall and sloped downward at a pitch of one sloped downward at a pitch of one foot for every 1,500 feet to the bay.foot for every 1,500 feet to the bay.

Over 2,000 homes and buildings Over 2,000 homes and buildings were raised.were raised.

Sand from the bay was pumped in to Sand from the bay was pumped in to fill in under the raised structures.fill in under the raised structures.

Raising the CityRaising the City

Residents put up with the muddy Residents put up with the muddy conditions for more than 7 years.conditions for more than 7 years.

They built boardwalks from house to They built boardwalks from house to house and dealt with the flies and house and dealt with the flies and stench that came from the fill. stench that came from the fill.

The cost of the grade raising totaled The cost of the grade raising totaled over $3 million dollars.over $3 million dollars.

Houses were rebuilt and later raised by jackscrews to help them withstand future hurricanes.

Galveston TodayGalveston Today The city never truly returned to its The city never truly returned to its

former glory. former glory. It is no longer one of the wealthiest or It is no longer one of the wealthiest or

largest cities in the nation. The 1900 largest cities in the nation. The 1900 of storm crushed its potential. of storm crushed its potential.

But, the determination of the But, the determination of the residents, the sea wall, and raising the residents, the sea wall, and raising the grade are the reasons why Galveston grade are the reasons why Galveston is still standing today.is still standing today.

Buildings in Galveston that are still standing from the 1900 storm are marked with a memorial plaque.

Tourist can watch a documentary retelling the events of September 8, 1900 at the Pier 21 Theater.

The Galveston storm of 1900 remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Though it was a horrific and

painful event for many, it is important that we learn and know about this experience so that we may better understand how the community of

Galveston has bounced back from a most dreadful time.

ResourcesResources

Cline, I.M. (1900, September 23). Special report on the Galveston hurricane of September 8, 1900 . Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://web.archive.org/web/20070209050501/www.history.noaa.gov/stories_tales/cline2.html

Heidorn, K. (2000, September 1). The 1900 Galveston hurricane. Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/events/1900hurr.htm

City of Galveston 1900 Storm Committee, . (2011). The 1900 storm. Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://1900storm.com/

Henderson, J. (Photographer). (2008). Hurricane Ike 2008. [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bugginout/4661420571/

Galveston disaster I’m glad ise living c. 1900. (2010). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/5093052794/

Galveston disaster people leaving city after flood c. 1900. (2077). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/5156111806/

*All images licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License

Victorian homes post office. (2006). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurascudder/2671638621/

Peeks, M. (Photographer). (2007). (Mexican) wave. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinp23/999194130/

No known restrictions: Galveston hurricane damage: interior St. Patrick's church by M.H. Zahner, 1900 (loc). (2007). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pingnews/493262226/

Ripley, A. (2008, September 15). A brief history of: the 1900 Galveston hurricane . Retrieved June 21, 2011

from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1841442,00.html

Rosenberg Library, . (2003, February 25). Frequently asked questions about the 1900 Galveston storm. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.gthcenter.org/exhibits/storms/1900/victims/stormfaq.htm

ResourcesResources

*All images licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License