How did the 1900 Galveston hurricane affect the Gulf Coast region?

The 1900 Galveston hurricane was a catastrophic tropical cyclone that remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Striking the low-lying island city of Galveston on September 8, 1900, the Category 4 storm brought devastating storm surges of 8–15 feet and winds exceeding 130 miles per hour.1

The impact on the region was profound:
* Human Toll: Official estimates report over 8,000 deaths, though some suggest the toll reached 12,000, primarily due to drowning or being crushed by debris.1
* Infrastructure: More than 2,600 homes were demolished, with thousands of other structures severely damaged, resulting in property losses estimated between $28 million and $30 million.1
* Economic Shift: Prior to the storm, Galveston was the premier port city in Texas. The disaster, combined with the rise of competitive ports, caused the city to lose its leading commercial status to Houston.12
* Mitigation: In the aftermath, the city raised the elevation of new buildings and constructed an extensive seawall to protect against future storms.12