HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Concerns are rising about the possibility of another hurricane hitting this season, especially since it’s still early. While no one can predict with certainty if we’ll face another hurricane, Weather Team explored how often the Lone Star State has been struck by multiple hurricanes in a single season.
Since reliable hurricane records began in 1851, Texas has experienced six seasons with multiple hurricanes: 1854, 1886, 1909, 1942, 1989, and 2008. In each of these seasons, at least one hurricane affected southeast Texas.
The worst season was in 1886, when four hurricanes hit Texas. The most devastating was a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall just west of Matagorda Bay, obliterating the town of Indianola, which was never rebuilt.
In 1942, two hurricanes hit Texas just nine days apart. A Category 1 hurricane made landfall near Crystal Beach on the Bolivar Peninsula on Aug. 21, followed by a Category 3 hurricane just west of Matagorda Bay on Aug. 30.
In 1989, two Category 1 hurricanes struck the upper Texas coastline. Chantal hit near High Island in August, and Jerry made landfall over Galveston in October, the latest on record for Texas, on Oct. 15.
The most recent season with multiple hurricanes was in 2008. Category 1 Dolly made landfall in south Texas, and Category 2 Ike hit the east end of Galveston Island.
Given Texas’s history of multiple hurricanes in a single season, it’s wise to stay prepared and apply any lessons learned from Hurricane Beryl.
