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1915 Galveston hurricane facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Interurban passenger car off track
Trains in Texas were stopped by the hurricane, making it hard to move people to safety.

The 1915 Galveston hurricane was a very strong and dangerous storm. It happened in August 1915. This huge hurricane first hit islands in the Caribbean Sea. It then moved to western Cuba. Finally, it blasted Galveston, Texas with powerful winds. These winds were about 135 miles per hour (217 km/h). This is like a Category 4 hurricane. When the storm hit Cuba, its winds were even stronger, around 145 miles per hour (233 km/h). Sadly, almost 400 people died because of this storm.

What Happened During the Storm?

The 1915 Galveston hurricane was very intense. It caused a lot of damage. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain. It also caused a storm surge. A storm surge is when the ocean water rises much higher than normal. This high water flooded many areas.

Where Did the Hurricane Hit?

The hurricane first affected islands in the Caribbean. This included the Leeward Islands. Then, it moved towards western Cuba. After that, it traveled across the Gulf of Mexico. Its final major hit was on Galveston, Texas.

How Much Damage Did It Cause?

The storm caused huge problems. Almost 400 people lost their lives. Many buildings were destroyed or badly damaged. Trains were stopped. It was hard to move people to safety. Ships were pushed far inland by the high water. Even after the hurricane weakened, it caused heavy rain in other places. For example, it caused a lot of rain in St. Louis, Missouri.

Images for kids

  • Waves on Seawall 430-500 pm

    Waves against the Galveston Seawall on the afternoon of August 16

  • 1915 Galveston hurricane partial weather map Aug 13 1915 8 AM CT

    Weather map of the hurricane and its pressure lines over the western Caribbean Sea on August 13

  • GoldenValePlantation ca1894 bananas BostonFruitCo Jamaica

    Banana farms in Jamaica were badly hit by the hurricane

  • Cluster of houses submerged in sand

    Houses in Galveston were damaged by loose sand

  • Coal barge north of Texas City terminal tracks

    High water pushed ships far inland, like this coal barge near Texas City

  • 1915 hurricane damage in Houston from The Houston Post, 1915-08-15

    Most buildings in Houston were damaged by strong winds

  • South on DeBaliviere Avenue from Wabash Railroad toward the Jefferson Memorial Building. River Des Peres flood of August 1915

    The storm's leftover rain caused very heavy rainfall in St. Louis until 2022.

  • Pcpn1915081621isohyet

    Rain from the hurricane was highest in East Texas and spread northeastwards to the Ohio River Valley

  • Interurban train with passengers crossing temporary trestle

    A temporary bridge was built for trains to get into Galveston after the main bridge was damaged

Related pages

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Huracán de Galveston (1915) para niños

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