Houston and Hurricanes: A Love Story (That Mostly Involves Running Away Screaming)
Ah, Houston. The city of bayous, barbecue, and... hurricanes. Yes, those swirling vortexes of wind and rain that turn your backyard into a surprise swimming pool. But how many of these tropical terrors has Houston actually tangoed with? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the dramatic world of Houston hurricane history.
The Short Answer (For the Impatient)
Houston itself hasn't actually taken a direct hit from a hurricane since... checks notes ...well, since forever. The last direct hit was way back in... frantic Googling ...1900! That's ancient history, folks.
However, Houston definitely feels the aftereffects of these storms thanks to its proximity to the coast. So, while Houston might not be the bulls-eye, it's often stuck playing dodgeball with these watery nightmares.
The Long Answer (For the Drama Queens)
Now, let's spice things up. Here's a whirlwind tour (pun intended) of some notable hurricane encounters Houston has dodged (or gotten soaked by):
- The Great Galveston Disaster of 1900: This one wasn't technically a Houston problem, but it was a wake-up call. A 15-foot storm surge turned Galveston into a watery graveyard, and Houston, just a hop, skip, and a jump away, learned a valuable lesson: respect Mother Nature.
- Hurricane Ike (2008): Ike said, "Hey Houston, remember me? Galveston's angry cousin?" Luckily, Ike weakened before reaching Houston, but it still caused plenty of power outages and left a trail of debris that rivaled a particularly messy college party.
- Tropical Storm Allison (2001): Don't let the "tropical storm" label fool you. Allison dumped a monsoon's worth of rain on Houston, causing the worst flooding in the city's history. Basically, Noah would have been jealous of the amount of water this storm brought.
- Hurricane Harvey (2017): Buckle up, because this is the big one. Harvey wasn't the strongest hurricane, but it lingered over Texas like a stubborn houseguest, dumping epic amounts of rain and causing catastrophic flooding. Boats became the new Uber, and attics became the new first floor.
So, How Many Hurricanes Hit Houston?
The answer, like Houston's weather, can be a bit unpredictable. Houston itself has been spared a direct hit for over a century, but it's definitely felt the sting of these storms. Here's the takeaway: Houston may not be the official hurricane punching bag, but it's wise to be prepared for when these watery wallops come knocking (or swirling).
In other words, keep an eye on the weather forecast, have a hurricane plan, and maybe invest in a good inflatable raft. Just sayin'.
