Hurricane Ike
Flooding of the Strand
The surge plus flooding from Galveston Bay inundated the Strand, a National Historic Landmark district, with 8 feet of water and left a coating of sticky mud in its wake. Learn More
Flooded Street in Galveston
Central areas of the City, neighborhoods of well-to-do professionals in mid-20th century houses, suffered surprisingly bad flooding. Learn More
JP Morgan Chase Tower
The windows of Houston's JP Morgan Chase Tower had been blown out by Ike. Learn More
Elissa
The 1877 Barque ELISSA, “The Tall Ship for Texas,” came through the storm nearly unscathed. Learn More
Gilchrist Texas
In many cases nearby communities, such as Gilchrist Texas, were hit even worse than Galveston. Learn More
The surge hits Galveston Island – Sept. 13, 2008
While Ike was clocked as a category 2, with winds of 110 miles an hour, the surge of about 13 feet and related flooding made the damage far worse. Learn More
Impressions on Galveston after Hurricane Ike
Daniel Carey, director of the Southwest Office, shares his experiences helping the Galveston Historical Foundation. Learn More
In the Weeks After Ike, Recovery Continues
Updates on the ongoing recovery work in Galveston and other ares impacted by Hurricane Ike. Learn More
Ike's Far-Reaching Devastation
Hit by the one-tow punch of tropical storm Lowell and hurricane Ike, the Farnsworth House, in Plano, Illinois, was damaged by flooding and is now undergoing restoration. Learn More
On September 13, 2008 Hurricane Ike came ashore along the Gulf Coast of Texas, and left a path of wind and water damage extending all the way to Illinois.
How You Can Help
Volunteer - The National Trust has issued a call for structural engineers and architects who are willing to travel to the region as soon as the area is open to non-residents to conduct structural assessments of buildings. If you are an engineer or architect and would be willing to serve on a volunteer team, fill out the volunteer survey.
Support - Make a donation to our hurricane recovery fund.
Visit our impacted partners -
Post-Ike Updates
From the PreservationNation Blog:
Click here to read updates from Peter Brink, former executive director of Galveston Historical Foundation from 1973 to 1989, and current Senior Vice President, Programs, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Audio Reports from the Field
The Galveston That Was
Peter Brink, senior vice president at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, talk about the classic book that served as an "alarm bell" to save the historic character of the city -- and about the plans to bring it back once again. (From Public Radio International's The World.)
Historic Sites Waterlogged After Ike
Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, was interviewed on radio station KUT:
Resources for Dealing with Flood Damage
Many historic resources have been threatened by Hurricane Ike and subsequent flooding. The documents below offer a guide to helping property owners minimize structural and cosmetic flood damage.
Treatment of Flood-Damaged Older and Historic Buildings - By: Jim Sewell, Richard Wagner, Claudette Hanks Reichel
Useful manual to help building owners reduce structural and cosmetic flood damage to older and historic buildings. Updated in 2005. (free, registration required)
Preserving Historic Resources Impacted by Flooding - A guide from the National Trust for local preservationists and civic leaders responding to flood events that impact older and historic neighborhoods and downtowns.
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force has a 10 minute video that provides step-by-step guidance on dealing with water damage at museums, libraries, and archives. Practical tips on safety, simple equipment, and salvage priorities also make the video a useful guide for home owners who want to rescue treasured family heirlooms.
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force website also has helpful materials including Save Your Treasures The Right Way, a tip sheet to help people deal correctly with damaged family photos, documents, etc; A Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions, and a list of constantly updated damage reports and requests for assistance from across the Midwest.
After the Flood: Rebuilding Communities Through Historic Preservation, from the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office
Working with Contractors and Architects - From the National Trust Resource Center
National Endowment for the Humanities Emergency Flood Assistance - Affected institutions in federally designated disaster areas may apply immediately for emergency grants of up to $20,000 to salvage, protect, and treat historical collections damaged by the flooding. Applicants should contact the Division of Preservation and Access by email (preservation@neh.gov) or by telephone (202/606-8570).
FEMA's recently revised Floodplain Management Bulletin for Historic Resources explains how the National Flood Insurance Program gives special consideration to historic properties, including exemptions from the floodplain management requirements.
How to Save Your Adobe Home in the Event of a Flood Disaster - An emergency flood mitigation manual for historic and traditional earthen architecture from Cornerstones Community Partnerships in Santa Fe, NM.
Resources for Affected States
Texas
Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management
Texas A&M Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center
The Office of Rural Community Affairs maintains a Disaster Relief Fund for local government recovery projects.
Iowa, Illinois, Missouri & Wisconsin
2008 flood resource information compiled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Helpful Links
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA's Public Assistance Grant Program
FEMA's Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Program
Heritage Emergency Task Force Request for Assistance
Disaster Preparedness and Response
The Small Business Administration (SBA) - Hurricanes assists both business and residential properties after a declared disaster with low or no interest loans.
Solinet is a nonprofit library cooperative with a wealth of information on the recovery of collections and artifacts after a disaster.
