Five storms etched in Texans’ memory top the list as being among those as the most costly and deadly.

On September 7-9, 1900, Galveston, TX was hit by the country’s deadliest storm in history wiping out two-thirds of the island’s population at the time, an estimated 6,000-to-8,000 people. A record 10 inches of rain fell causing $30 million dollars in damages. Winds reached 125mph making a storm surge of 15 feet for the Great Galveston Hurricane prompting a project to elevate the city and build a 17-foot seawall that now protects Galveston.

Breaking records with the largest evacuation in history is Hurricane Carla that struck land on September 11, 1961. The Texas coastline was hit with hurricane force winds up to 175 mph resulting in a 22-foot storm surge. An estimated 43 people died. That number could have been higher if it was not for the orchestration of the largest evacuation for a particular area at the time. Rainfall totals were between 11-19 inches in different parts of the state causing damage to 1.7 million acres for a total destruction cost for Texas of $408 million.

Although September is the most popular month for hurricanes, August would be imprinted in the minds of Texans in 1970 when Hurricane Celia made landfall on August 3rd. Corpus Christi, TX would take the brunt of the storm damage with 8,000 homes and 90% of the buildings in the city being demolished or totally destroyed. About nine tornadoes were formed by the hurricane that produced a storm surge of 9 feet. Fifteen deaths were recorded and damages totaled $500 million dollars due to wind damage that reached a maximum speed of 180mph.

Hurricane Katrina was the storm that made Houstonians “woke” so much so that before Hurricane Rita struck Texas some months later, millions left their homes making it the largest evacuation on record for U.S. history. Over 100 people would die on the roadways due to dehydration. With maximum winds of 175mph, Hurricane Rita devastated Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Fifty-nine people would die in Texas due to the storm that had damages costing $10 billion.

Rounding out the top five is Hurricane Ike that rolled in on September 12-15, 2008. Forming off the coast of Africa in late August, Hurricane Ike teetered between being a category 2 and category 4 storm. It weakened a bit by the time it made it to Texas but brought a severe storm surge along the Texas coastline. More than 2.5 million people lost power in Texas and Louisiana. Hurricane Ike would claim the lives of 84 people and leave a trail of destruction costing $19.3 billion dollars.

And then there was Hurricane Harvey. Making landfall in Houston during the wee hours of August 26th, Houstonians thought we were prepared for the wind and the rain. However, Harvey was a different kind of hurricane that we weren’t use to having. Usually, hurricanes did their damage and moved on. Harvey had an extended stay visit in Houston drowning the city with more than 50 inches of rain for three days straight. Once the rain did stop, life was still on lockdown. People were either trapped in their houses surrounded by water, stranded in other buildings in the city surrounded by water, or on the rooftop of their vehicle or home surround by water. Streets became lakes and highways became rivers. The only means of transportation was by boat or helicopter. An estimated 30,000 people would be evacuated or rescued to some 200 shelters within the city and thousands more would stay in hotels, with family, or transported to other parts of the state.

In the midst of tragedy, there is always a silver lining and so it was for Houston. Gone were political parties, race debates, and negativity, as Houstonians and the world gave Houston a huge hug and helping hand. People banded together to help their neighbor. Although our usual heroes of the Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, and first responders were there but so was the man down the street who just so happened to have a boat. And the lady who knew her neighbor was too old to fend for herself in such a situation so she made sure she was rescued. So were the people that formed a human change to rescue another soul sinking fast in his vehicle. And then there were those strangers from other states near and far who drove to Texas with their boats because their heart told them they just had to help. The human spirit prevailed over everything and it was beautiful to watch the outpour of pure love for your fellow man.

Also shining through was the strength of Houston’s leadership. Houston has one heck of a mayor in Sylvester Turner. His team with HPD Chief Art Acevado and Judge Ed Emmett kept Houstonians safe. Past history told him that a mass evacuation of millions of people from the fourth largest city would have been catastrophic. So he ordered a shelter in place and stood by his decision, no matter how he was challenged. He ordered a curfew when citizens had to evacuate to protect their homes from looters. He made sure to stretch Houston’s limited resources as far and wide as he could to reach not some, but all. He did what he thought was best and unapologetic for it because the buck in Houston starts and stops with him. He proved that he does not waver under pressure but is cool, collective and a man of action. He stood for Houston and that is #HoustonStrong.

It is still too soon to say how much damage Hurricane Harvey caused. It will be a number for the record books. Texas Governor Greg Abbott estimates that Harvey’s damage in Texas will be at least $180 billion dollars. Rain totals have already made history. It has been more than a week after the storm and there are still parts of Houston that are under water. Tons of people are still displaced and don’t know where they will start to rebuild their lives. Houston has moved from rescue to recovery and that recovery is going to take weeks-to-months.

Hurricane Harvey changed Houston. It made us know what is truly important and valuable. Material things can be replaced but not people. Rebuild your house, buy a new vehicle, replace the things you think you need and be sure to hold extra tight to the people you love and care for the people you pass for one day they might be your unknown hero. Harvey is definitely the hurricane we’ll never forget.

Source: Texas Hurricane History – weather.gov