Galveston Hurricane of 1900 September 8, 1900

Importance of Galveston Galveston was an important port city before the hurricane. Galveston was an important port city before the hurricane. Had a population of 36,000 Had a population of 36,000 One of the wealthiest cities per capita (income per person) in the U.S. and in TX One of the wealthiest cities per capita (income per person) in the U.S. and in TX Was going to become the “New York City” of the South. Was going to become the “New York City” of the South.

Galveston Firsts First electric lighting in Texas First electric lighting in Texas First telephone call in Texas First telephone call in Texas First organized baseball game in Texas First organized baseball game in Texas

Isaac Cline Headed the Weather Bureau in Galveston during the 1900 hurricane. Headed the Weather Bureau in Galveston during the 1900 hurricane.

Cline’s Family

Galveston At Risk for Hurricanes Galveston is on an island, which is the barrier island that protects the Texas coast from the tides of the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston is on an island, which is the barrier island that protects the Texas coast from the tides of the Gulf of Mexico. Barrier Island: an island that protects the coast from the damaging effects of tides Barrier Island: an island that protects the coast from the damaging effects of tides Hurricanes: a tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour Hurricanes: a tropical storm with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour

Galveston Hurricane September 8, 1900 Galveston Island was at sea level. Highest point in the city was 8-9 feet above sea level. Galveston Island was at sea level. Highest point in the city was 8-9 feet above sea level. Winds blew more than 130 miles per hour Winds blew more than 130 miles per hour Winds created storm surges feet high Winds created storm surges feet high

Storm Surge 9rEmA 9rEmA 9rEmA 9rEmA

Galveston

Galveston

Damage to Galveston More than 6,000 people died in Galveston (1/6 of the population) More than 6,000 people died in Galveston (1/6 of the population) More than 3,600 homes were destroyed along with commercial structures causing $30 million dollars in damage ($700 million in today’s dollars). More than 3,600 homes were destroyed along with commercial structures causing $30 million dollars in damage ($700 million in today’s dollars). Galveston Hurricane reigns today as the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Galveston Hurricane reigns today as the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Galveston fell behind as a leading port city and the city of Houston became the New York City of the South. Galveston fell behind as a leading port city and the city of Houston became the New York City of the South.

Factors That Contributed to the High Number of Deaths Timbers, bricks, slate and entire roofs flew into the streets, killing and injuring people as they fled. Timbers, bricks, slate and entire roofs flew into the streets, killing and injuring people as they fled. The water level rose and a storm surge The water level rose and a storm surge lifted homes from their foundations and lifted homes from their foundations and drowned countless people. drowned countless people. Rubble crashed into other buildings and Rubble crashed into other buildings and knocked them down as well. knocked them down as well.

Time to Rebuild The people of Galveston knew their old form of government would not be able to handle this huge task so they formed a new one. The people of Galveston knew their old form of government would not be able to handle this huge task so they formed a new one. The new government they chose was called a city commission. The new government they chose was called a city commission. Commission- group of government officials elected to perform certain duties. Commission- group of government officials elected to perform certain duties.

Time to Rebuild, cont. Voters elected five commissioners to run the city. Voters elected five commissioners to run the city. The commissioners were chosen for their knowledge of certain city development. The commissioners were chosen for their knowledge of certain city development. The new government proved so effective that hundreds of other TX and U.S. cities adopted it. The new government proved so effective that hundreds of other TX and U.S. cities adopted it.

Steps Taken by Galveston to Prevent Future Damage They built a seawall to prevent future floods. It was a three-mile, concrete wall along the coast and was 16 ft. high and 17 ft. wide. Today it stretches more than 10 miles. They built a seawall to prevent future floods. It was a three-mile, concrete wall along the coast and was 16 ft. high and 17 ft. wide. Today it stretches more than 10 miles. They raised much of the city. They pumped sand from the sea floor of the Gulf of They raised much of the city. They pumped sand from the sea floor of the Gulf of Mexico and lifted buildings to put the sand underneath those buildings.

Galveston Homes Lifted While Awaiting Sand From the Gulf

Building of the Seawall

Construction of Seawall 1905

Galveston Seawall

Seawall During Hurricane Ike

Saint Mary’s Orphanage All 10 nuns and 90 of 93 orphans are killed in the hurricane. All 10 nuns and 90 of 93 orphans are killed in the hurricane.

High School and Beach Hotel

Tremont Hotel & Galveston Home

Aftermath

Aftermath

Aftermath

Galveston

Aftermath Photographs & Film ndex.lasso ndex.lasso ndex.lasso ndex.lasso so so so so