The World

The Great Storm

In 1900, a huge hurricane hit the coastal city of Galveston, Texas. LOE looks at the events that led up to the storm and the measures the city took to prevent future devastation.

On September 8, 1900, a hurricane struck the seaside town of Galveston, Texas. The so-called “Great Storm” killed more than 6,000 people and destroyed a city that once boasted a booming seaport and was a popular tourist magnet. Janet Heimlich visited Galveston to talk to town residents and descendents of the storm survivors. She finds that there may be lessons in Galveston for victims of Hurricane Katina.