Southeast Texas is in the midst of one of its longest hurricane dry spells ever.
While in our own hurricane drought, mother nature has shown us how destructive a
hurricane can be with Andrew's 1992 devastation in South Florida, Mitch's 1998
deadly rampage in Central America and Floyd's 1999 floods in North Carolina.
While we continue to wait for our next big hurricane here in Southeast Texas, we
are often reminded that a tropical storm can cause as much or even more
destruction than some hurricanes do. 2001's Tropical Storm Allison was one
of these storms...and this one will go down as the costliest tropical storm in
United States history.
History tells us that what Allison did to Houston and surrounding
communities was not unprecedented. When our next major flood event happens, it may
be associated with another tropical and may create similar havoc for the Houston
area. But the $5 billion damage cost of Allison will pale in comparison to our
next destructive major hurricane to visit Southeast Texas. It is not a question
of "if" it will happen - it is only a matter of time "when" it will happen.
National Weather Service
Houston/Galveston
1353 FM 646 Suite 202
Dickinson, Texas 77539
281.337.5074
Web Master's E-mail: sr-hgx.webmaster@noaa.gov
Page last modified: 19-Feb-2007 2000 GMT
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