Galveston County - Galveston (Part 3: Hurricane to Modern Day)

The changes that were brought about by the hurricane that hit Galveston on September 8, 1900 simply cannot be overstated. Formerly the largest city in the state of Texas, the most important port city along the Gulf Coast other than New Orleans was also home to the most mansions, millionaires, and modern amenities. With a population over 36,000 people on an island that only rose 5' above sea level, the 120 mph winds were only the second-most destructive element of the hurricane. A storm surge lifted the sea 15' in advance of the arriving storm, catching the sleeping city unaware, drowning thousands, and cutting off residents from the mainland. Without any method of communication, it was two days before anyone was able to reach Houston in order to request aid for the ruined island community. Bodies were so numerous that burial was impossible, and attempts were made to dump both humans and animals into sea. After those remains once again washed ashore, massive funeral pyres