Houston, TX – September 13 holds unique significance in Texas weather history, marking the anniversaries of two hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast one year apart: Hurricane Humberto in 2007 and Hurricane Ike in 2008.
According to the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office, Hurricane Humberto made landfall near High Island, TX, as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds near 90 mph on September 13, 2007. Remarkably, Humberto intensified from a tropical depression into a hurricane in just 19 hours, one of the fastest strengthening rates on record before landfall. The storm caused an estimated $50 million in damage and led to one fatality in Texas.
Exactly one year later, on September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall along Galveston Island as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Ike originated near the Cape Verde Islands and had earlier reached Category 4 strength with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph before weakening over the Gulf of Mexico. At landfall, winds were measured at 95–105 mph, with a central pressure of 950 mb. The storm surge exceeded 15 feet over parts of the Bolivar Peninsula, leading to catastrophic destruction across coastal communities and widespread flooding in the Houston area.
Ike remains one of the most destructive hurricanes in Texas history, responsible for billions in damages and dozens of lives lost. Humberto, while far less powerful, is remembered for its rapid intensification and for being the first hurricane to hit the Texas coast since Hurricane Rita in 2005.
The dual anniversaries serve as a reminder of the Gulf Coast’s vulnerability during hurricane season and the importance of preparedness for rapidly developing storms.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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