Galveston An Island Based on Resilience

I am new to the island and experienced my first hurricane back in July with Beryl. I was not sure what to expect, and the power outages and damages were tough, yet I saw something in the community that I admired. The people of Galveston came together and offered support to one another. A food popup led by Nikolas Barrios, Junior and Katie Lopez, and so many more turned the Wal-Mart parking lot into a sort of makeshift center of hope. 

Beryl isn’t the first time the people of Galveston have come together to rebuild and support one another. After Ike, Allison, and so many others, members of the community leaned on one another to rebuild the island and bring it back to its former glory. Galveston has a long and storied history of resilience in the face of natural disasters. For over a century, the island has weathered the fury of hurricanes that have threatened its very existence, and each time, it has emerged stronger. The people of Galveston’s ability to rebuild and rejuvenate after each storm speaks volumes about its community's grit, determination, and unity.

The Great Storm of 1900 was the most devastating storm in the island's history and the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. With winds estimated at over 140 miles per hour, the storm claimed more than 8,000 lives and left the island in ruins. Buildings were flattened, entire neighborhoods were washed away, and the city was isolated from the mainland.

In the aftermath, the people of Galveston faced a daunting choice: abandon the city or rebuild. Defiantly, they chose the latter. The city embarked on a bold engineering project that would define its future—a seawall was constructed to protect the island from future storms, and an unprecedented plan was undertaken to raise the entire city by as much as 17 feet in some areas. Fueled by a deep sense of community and determination, this massive effort set the stage for Galveston’s continued survival.

Though the seawall offered some protection, hurricanes continued to pound the island over the years. In 1961, Hurricane Carla, a Category 4 storm, caused widespread destruction. Yet again, Galveston rebuilt, learning from each experience how to strengthen its infrastructure and better prepare for future storms. Then, in 2008, Hurricane Ike hit the island, testing the community's resilience once again. Ike caused nearly $30 billion in damage and forced a massive evacuation. When the storm passed, it left behind an island scarred by flooding, damaged homes, and shattered businesses.

In the wake of Ike’s destruction, Galveston’s spirit did not waver. Our community reunited again, rebuilding homes and businesses and restoring historic landmarks. The people of Galveston proved, once again, that the storms would not beat them.

Today, Galveston has become a model for how coastal communities can prepare for and recover from hurricanes. But beyond physical preparations, Galveston has cultivated an ingrained culture of resilience in its people.

After every storm, neighbors help neighbors rebuild. Local businesses band together to support one another, and the community rallies around efforts to restore the island’s beauty and charm.

The people of Galveston know that hurricanes will always be a part of life on the island. The memory of past storms is ever-present, but so is the knowledge that we have overcome adversity time and time again. With every storm, the island grows stronger, learning new lessons and innovating to protect itself for the future.

In Galveston, resilience is more than just survival. It is a testament to the strength of community, the will to endure, and the determination to preserve a way of life deeply rooted in history, culture, and the spirit of the people who call this island home.