1945 Texas hurricane

Preparations and impact

Upon classification as a hurricane by the former United States Weather Bureau (USWB) on August 25, a hurricane warning was issued for coastal areas between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas, and between Galveston, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana. At the time, the storm was forecast to make landfall between Port O'Connor and Freeport, Texas. However, all small craft offshore from the mouth of the Rio Grande and Burrwood, Louisiana were warned to remain in port or return to the coast. All other shipping in the western Gulf of Mexico were advised to exercise extreme caution. Despite having just formed, forecasters already suggested that it would be potentially the most destructive storm of the hurricane season thus far. As a result of the storm's intensity and repeated warnings, thousands evacuated potentially affected coastal regions. In Freeport, Texas, 20,000 people evacuated. Mustang Island was fully evacuated prior to the storm impacting land. Throughout the hurricane's early developmental stages, reconnaissance flights were periodically made into the storm to gather data.

Though situated on the opposite side of the Gulf of Mexico as Florida, tropical moisture extending from the hurricane caused torrential rainfall in the state. In St. Petersburg, the heavy rains set a 30-year record and flooded low-lying areas. Inundated streets blocked traffic and delayed transit bus routes. In Booker and Salt Creeks, the floodwaters backed up sewage systems. Though there were no deaths as a result of the floods, two people were rescued by police after their house was surrounded by water. Telecommunications in the Tampa Bay Area were delayed for up to two hours due to damage sustained to communication lines as a result of the rains. Despite its nearby proximity, effects in Tampa, Florida were much less severe, with only small showers and gusts never exceeding 25 mph (40 km/h).

Upon making landfall on the Texas coast late on August 27, the hurricane caused a wide swath of destruction, and was considered one of the worst hurricanes to impact the state in at least 25 years. A 400 mi (645 km) wide swath of land experienced moderate to severe impacts during the storm. Strong winds were reported in various locations, with a peak gust of 135 mph (217 km/h) measured in Collegeport, Texas. At a weather station in Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, a wind gust of 101 mph (163 km/h) was measured. Across Corpus Christi, the strong winds knocked down communication and power lines, causing widespread power outages. Thus, all local radio stations were off air for a period of time. However, power was quickly restored within an hour after cutoff. Winds within the city peaked at 75 mph (121 km/h). Damage in the city was estimated to be below $100,000. Further south in Port Isabel, Texas, winds peaked at 76 mph (122 km/h). However, in nearby Brownsville, Texas, damage associated with the hurricane. In El Campo, Texas, strong winds blew the roof off of a local hospital. Thus, 30 patients were evacuated to hospitals in Wharton, Texas. Power in Wharton was temporarily knocked out for a short time. As the storm progressed further inland, additional damage was reported. In Bay City, Texas, gusts uprooted trees and scattered debris over the city streets. Heavy rains there inundated roads under as much as 2 ft (0.61 m) of water. As a result, only one highway remained open. In Rockport, Texas, additional homes were unroofed, with damages estimated at $500,000. Offshore, the hurricane produced strong waves which caused coastal impacts. In Port Aransas, Texas, waves inundated roads to a depth of 4 ft (1.2 m). The strong waves later separated the port from the mainland, and destroyed or damage all buildings and structures there, causing an estimated $750,000 in damage there. Power in Port Aransas was disrupted during the night of August 27. At Aransas Pass, surf was as high as automotive running boards. At Port Lavaca, Texas, the tide rose up to 15 ft (4.6 m) above normal, inundating the coastal city and forcing the coastline to retreat 50 ft (15 m) from its initial position. At the time, the measured storm surge was only the third highest recorded in Texas history, behind peak measurements taken during the 1900 Galveston hurricane and 1919 Florida Keys hurricane. Damage estimates for Port Lavaca ranged from $750,000–$1 million. Offshore of Port Isabel, the strong waves capsized a fishing vessel, killing all two of its crew members.

The hurricane's slow movement parallel to the Texas coast resulted in torrential rainfall, peaking at 19.6 in (500 mm) near Hockley over a period of a little over three days. The excessive precipitation helped increase monthly rainfall amounts in the region to three times above average. Cotton and rice crops were badly damaged during the storm. The American Crop Growers Association estimated that up to 20% of the rice crop was lost during the stom. Damage to unpicked cotton in the Corpus Christi area alone totaled to $1,500,000. In Houston, the heavy rains halted traffic and increased flood risk to property near the city's bayous. Precipitation in the city peaked at 15.65 in (398 mm) in a 24-hour period. However, the Barker Dam prevented a large scale flooding event in the city. A gust of 55 mph (89 km/h) collapsed a suburban residence, killing the occupant inside. Approximately 8 mi (13 km) north-northeast of Houston, an F3 tornado formed and traversed for 22 mi (35 km) across the northern suburbs of the city, killing a person and causing 15 injuries. The tornado also had a path width of 75 yd (69 m), and damage to property was estimated at $35,000. Heavy rainfall from the storm was reported as far west as San Antonio, Texas. Overall, the hurricane caused $20.1 million in damages, with $14 million attributable to agricultural losses, $5.883 million to infrastructural damage, and $250,000 to cattle and poultry losses. Despite the large swath of devastation, only three people were killed due to the extensive precautionary measures taken before the storm.

After the hurricane passed, the American Red Cross and other relief agencies began to survey damage and assist in repair and rehabilitation activities. Red Cross personnel in the central coastal area assisted 15,000 refugees with food and care necessities. Robert Edison, then-director of the Midwest sector of the agency, requested 5,000,000 ft (1,500,000 m) of lumber and 52 tons (47 tonnes) of steel. The Salvation Army, stationed in Houston, issued an appeal for clothing materials. State health department and agency crews were dispatched to check water and other sanitation facilities.