8. The 1900 Hurricane in Galveston
On September 8, 1900, the Great Galveston Hurricane hit Texas, causing over 8,000 fatalities and widespread destruction. The hurricane, with winds exceeding 145 mph, destroyed most of the city of Galveston.
At the time, the island was a major commercial hub, and the disaster led to major reforms in weather forecasting and hurricane preparedness. The storm’s extreme devastation and the lasting impact on the region have made it a tragic chapter in American history.