Cuba Track Jacket

Posted on November 08, 2011 by Admin
Cuba Track Jacket

Cuba Track Jacket

Details of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane

This Category 4 hurricane made landfall in Galveston on September 8, 1900 after crossing the Gulf of Mexico from Cuba where it was recorded as a tropical storm. As weather patterns indicate, a storm will intensify as it picks up the warm gulf waters so this storm reached hurricane status after leaving Cuba.

According to CNN, the estimated death toll of the Galveston Hurricane was 8,000 to 12,000 people. The storm leveled 12 city blocks which was approximately three-quarters of the island where Galveston is located. Because of its island location, extensive flooding occurred as water poured in from all directions.

Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston was the largest trade center and biggest city in Texas at the end of the 19th century. The population was 42,000 residents and was rapidly growing as the port facilities attracted new businesses to the island. Galveston was extremely vulnerable because it was a low-lying flat island on the Gulf Coast. It was approximately 9 feet above sea level. There was no seawall to protect the city and sand dunes on the shore were excavated in order to provide landfill in lower areas of the city.