Compare and contrast hurricane Harvey vs The Galveston hurricane of 1900

Answer 1

Hurricane Harvey and the Galveston hurricane of 1900 were both catastrophic natural disasters that hit the Gulf Coast of Texas, but there are several key differences between the two events.

One of the main differences is the intensity of the storms. Hurricane Harvey, which struck in 2017, was a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph, while the Galveston hurricane of 1900 was a Category 4 hurricane with estimated wind speeds of 145 mph. This made the Galveston hurricane of 1900 one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history, with an estimated death toll of between 6,000 and 12,000 people. In contrast, Hurricane Harvey resulted in a death toll of 107 people.

The two storms also differed in terms of their impacts on infrastructure. The Galveston hurricane of 1900 essentially wiped out the city of Galveston, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving many residents homeless. Hurricane Harvey, on the other hand, caused widespread flooding in Houston and other parts of Texas, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The flooding from Harvey was particularly severe due to the slow-moving nature of the storm, which dumped record-breaking amounts of rainfall on the region.

Additionally, the response to the two storms also varied significantly. In 1900, there was little warning or preparation for the Galveston hurricane, and the city had limited resources to deal with the aftermath. In contrast, the response to Hurricane Harvey was much more coordinated, with advance warnings and evacuations in place to help minimize loss of life. The emergency response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey were also more robust, with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and volunteers coming together to provide aid to those affected by the storm.

Overall, while both Hurricane Harvey and the Galveston hurricane of 1900 were devastating natural disasters, the differences in intensity, impact, and response highlight how far emergency management and disaster response have come in the past century.