08/19/2026
1983 was one of the quietest hurricane seasons on record with only four named storms. Forty three years ago today Hurricane Alicia, with 115-130 mph winds and 12 feet of surge, devastated Galveston. This rapidly intensifying storm was the last time the island was hit by a hurricane that was classified as a “major” storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The 22 foot storm surge of Hurricane Ike came along years later and proved that wind is not always the worst threat tropical cyclones bring. Surge modeling has since become a critical component of threat and hazard forecasting.
The impact of Hurricane Alicia serves as a poignant reminder that even in a quiet season, it only takes one storm to cause significant devastation.
City of Galveston, Texas - Government
US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas
Texas Division of Emergency Management
NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
FEMA Region 6