1915 Storm

The 1915 Storm gave the Seawall its first real test. This was a severe hurricane, with top sustained winds of 93 miles per hour and wind gusts that reached 120 miles per hour. The hurricane inundated Galveston with waters that reached a depth of 6 to 9 feet. The storm surge reached a maximum depth exceeding 16 feet. Galveston lost electrical power, and its fresh water supply was disrupted. The hurricane caused 12 deaths and an estimated $5-8 million in property damage in the city.

There are two documents available on this site: The Record of High Water BMs. on Galveston Island 85-0020 (from the U.S. Weather Bureau) and the Report of the Local Forecaster, W. P. Stewach 85-0020.

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