The Hurricane of 1900 struck Galveston, Texas, on September 8, becoming the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm brought winds exceeding 130 miles per hour and a devastating storm surge that inundated the island city. An estimated 8,000 to 12,000 people lost their lives, and much of Galveston was destroyed. In response, the city built a seawall and raised its elevation to protect against future storms, significantly changing its landscape and approach to disaster preparedness.