Target Texas
Following Carla, Beulah struck Padre Island in September 1967 killing 15 people. In August 1970, Celia rammed Corpus Christi with winds of 160 mph, wreaking incredible havoc. There were 11 deaths and construction crews worked for months cleaning up the destruction. Three years later, Hurricane Allen moved onto a sparsely populated coastal area north of Brownsville and two lives were lost. Another three years later, a smaller hurricane named Alicia hit Houston breaking windows in downtown buildings and flooding streets and roadways.
Then in September 1988 a powerful Category 5, covering the entire Gulf of Mexico, threatened to pick on Texas. Although Gilbert eventually moved onto land south of Monterrey Mexico, three San Antonio residents were killed due to massive flooding and tornadoes. Bonnie visited in 1986, Chantal and Jerry in 1989, and when Andrew bore down on the Louisiana coast in 1992, residents of the upper Texas coast also scrambled for higher ground. The last significant storm to strike the Texas coast was Bret in 1999.
Hurricanes are a fact of life in Texas but, due to advance warnings and preparedness, storm deaths have decreased dramatically since the 1900 hurricane crept upon unsuspecting Galveston residents. Evacuations in low-lying coastal areas have prevented countless deaths from storm surges. A storm surge is created when high winds and low atmospheric pressure in the storm's eye push sea water into a mountainous wave that can rise to more than 20 feet. Just one cubic foot of water can carry 64 pounds of pressure so it's not hard to understand how this massive wall of water carrying rocks, trees, cars, and who knows what else can be a force no one would want to contend with. Early evacuation is paramount as storm surges strike suddenly. Documents from the 1900 hurricane report that tides rose 4 feet in 4 seconds.
Those who are not in danger of storm surge and wish to "ride out" the winds with a "hurricane party" should know that forceful gusts ram buildings again and again, slamming them with debris and dropping pressure on the leeward side. One window break will create sudden pressure inside the building, sometimes blowing the roof off, collapsing supportive structures, or popping out other windows. To minimize damage, homes can be fortified with shatter-resistant windows. All structural parts can be connected with strong nails and metal strappings, and roofs and frames can be securely bolted.
Weather experts believe
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