Hurricane Elly was one of the most destructive storms in US history. Here are 10 things you may not know about this deadly hurricane.
1. Hurricane Elly was one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the United States.
Hurricane Elly made landfall near Galveston, Texas on September 11th, 1900. The storm had estimated wind speeds of 140 miles per hour, making it a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.
2. Hurricane Elly was responsible for over 6,000 deaths.
The death toll from Hurricane Elly is estimated to be between 6,000 and 12,000 people. This makes it one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history.
3. Hurricane Elly caused over $20 billion in damage.
In today’s dollars, Hurricane Elly would have caused over $20 billion in damage. This makes it one of the most expensive hurricanes in US history.
4. Hurricane Elly was one of the longest-lived hurricanes ever recorded.
Hurricane Elly was a tropical cyclone for 12 days, making it one of the longest-lived hurricanes on record.
5. Hurricane Elly had a very large storm surge.
The storm surge from Hurricane Elly is estimated to have been 20 feet (6 meters) in some areas. This is one of the largest storm surges ever recorded.
6. Hurricane Elly caused severe flooding.
The floods caused by Hurricane Elly were some of the worst in US history. In Galveston, Texas, the storm surge and flooding killed an estimated 6,000 people.
7. Hurricane Elly blew away houses and buildings.
The high winds from Hurricane Elly blew away houses and buildings. In Galveston, over 3,600 homes were destroyed by the storm.
8. Hurricane Elly knocked out power and communication lines.
The hurricane knocked out power and communication lines, making it difficult for people to get help.
9. Hurricane Elly caused a lot of damage to crops.
The hurricane damaged crops, including cotton and sugarcane. The damage to crops was estimated at $100 million (in today’s dollars).
10. Hurricane Elly is one of the most remembered hurricanes in US history.
Hurricane Elly is one of the most remembered hurricanes in US history. The storm was so destructive that it led to the creation of the National Hurricane Center.