The month of May kicks off hurricane season. We receive free maps for tracking. We get information on escape routes inland. Storm shutters, plywood, food supplies, flashlights, generators,etc. are things purchased. Families talk about where they will go, or if they will go when a hurricane comes.
How often do hurricanes come to Texas? From 1900 to now fourteen major storms with winds in excess of 111 mph have visited Texas. The most infamous one was "the Galveston hurricane" which hit September 8, 1900. More than 8,000 people died. Tides inundated the entire island city of Galveston. Half the homes were destroyed. In the last fifty years some of the major storms were: Audrey in June of 1957; Carla in September of 1961; Beulah in September of 1967;Celia in August of 1970, Allen in August 1980; Gilbert in September 1988;Bret in August 1999. Although it received little publicity the New Orleans hurricane did tremendous damage in East Texas. With the spotlight on the Louisiana coast Texas' damage went by virtually un-noticed, except for those folks who lost so much.
Where do we go when a hurricane is in the Gulf? It depends. Where is it coming from? How strong does it appear to be? How slow? Some folks have been trapped in the nightmare of thousands of cars bumper to bumper running out of gas, and wishing they had never left home. Dangers do sweep inland with tornados, high winds, and torrential rain.The secret is to decide early enough so one isn't caught in a traffic melee. Are we due a hurricane of major proportions in South Texas? We may be overdue! That's okay by me. We can be sure of this: In it's proper time another one will come. Have a nice day!