Healing from Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas

The second week of September, 2008, my better half and I were camped in a hotel outside of the Houston area for a few days of rest and relaxation. Our vacation to the area was cut short by the hurricane predictions of an impending disaster. We left just before the mass exodus of the Houston population to safer ground.

Our two days of exploration included a day on the island of Galveston. As we casually toured the area, we drove from one end of the island to the other. Our memorable day of rest included a swim in the ocean and a seafood dinner in a local restaurant with a view of the shore!

We had not returned to the city on stilts since our quick departure a year and half ago! This past weekend, we drove onto the island to take note of the changes we knew would be there. Armed with camera, we looked for any remaining damage after the storm many months ago. It didn't take long to find the after effects of the hurricane. I have included photos for you to see!

Our prior visit included a tour of the beach neighborhoods on the coastline. To see the homes lining the water gutted by winds and water sit eerily on the beaches was sobering. Did I mention that the day was gray, overcast, and a fine mist was in the air? Houses in neighborhoods, that had been repaired, sat boldly with fresh paint and wood displayed for all to see. Just across the street, or even next door, sat the skeleton remains of large homes rejected by their owners and forsaken for drier abodes.

Beaches and roads in the neighborhoods we toured were still being repaired. The healing process is slow. Some access areas were cut off by road barriers that stood out starkly against the gray day with their red and orange markings. Many homes sat vacant waiting for their homeowners to return in the warmer months of the year.

One of the appealing views of Galveston is the long drive along the coast. Businesses line the roads across from the beaches giving prime views to their patrons. The beaches are designed to provide many unobstructed views of the water. As we meandered down the coastal road, the damage to the piers were so evident. The broken beams and tiers showed their broken status from a distance. The Flagship Hotel looked like an abandoned ship hovering over the water. Walls were missing, curtains from abandoned rooms blew in the breeze, and the pier was missing sections of wood.

It was refreshing to see a souvenir shop that had been rebuilt along the shore. It's walkway was busy with customers and traffic on this gray afternoon in February. It's fresh paint shone bright against the ocean grays.

Many motels, stores and restaurants were back in business. Along the coastal road, I noted that next to a repaired shopping center stood an abandoned restaurant that had been previously busy, but was now vacant. The overall appearance of the commerce along the main drag made me wonder if the insurance and storm relief had not come through for some individuals or businesses like it was supposed to or if some business owners just gave up and left the island in search for another location.

A popular tourist site, The Strand was busy with shoppers as we drove through. The area was humming with customers and activity along the sidewalks. It was obvious that some of the brick buildings had been battered from the storm, but generally the area appeared to be thriving.

Around the corner, the cruise ships lined the docks. Two large vessels were filling with passengers for their next journey out to sea. Acres of cars filled the parking lots and garages as these passengers boarded for their adventures!

Because Hurricane Ike was a Category Five hurricane, the damage to Galveston was disastrous. It was surprising to see the amount of rebuilding of homes and businesses that had taken place. The progress that has been made is still tainted by the remaining damage that currently exists and is a daily reminder of that terrible storm. The contrast between the repaired and the damaged is stark!