Hurricane Ike and Indianola: The Great Hurricane of 1886

Before Katrina, Before Ike, Before Hurricanes Had Names
The Great Hurricane of 1886 Wiped Out Indianola

Indianola, Texas

With Hurricane Ike bearing down on the Gulf Coast of Texas, most people are unaware of a similar storm, the great hurricane of 1886, that hit not only the area known as Matagorda Bay but struck a blow to the dreams of the port city of Indianola, the “Queen of the West”.

When most people think of hurricanes and Texas they think of such monster storms as Rita, Carla, Camille, or the great Galveston storm of 1900. Yet there’s been countless other hurricanes to strike along the Texas Gulf Coast, two of which changed the destiny of a Indianola, a city which at one time was one of the most important ports along the Texas Gulf of Mexico, where settlers landed and headed west. DBKP took a look at the port city which was known as “the Queen of the West” and how two hurricanes, one of which is still known as the fifth largest hurricane to ever hit the U.S., wiped Indianola off the map, dreams and all.

The history of Indianola, a city that was located on Matagorda Bay on Powderhorn Bayou, was short in duration but had become an important natural water port, the chief destination of European settlers looking to relocate to the West. Union ships bombarded and eventually seized the town during the Civil War, and such oddities as camels, which were requisitioned by the then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis in 1856 and 1857, on their way to the great southwest.

Established as a settlement on what was known as Indian Point in 1846, the town sat at the crossroads of the Chihuahaw Trail, a military road to San Antonio, Austin, and Chihuahua, Mexico, and the road to San Diego. The road that led westward was known as Cart Road, as most of the goods were transported by oxcart. In 1853 the fateful decision was made to move the town three miles to Powderhorn Bayou at sea level.

By 1875 Indianola had become the second largest port in Texas with a population of 5,000 and its ease of access through the shallow waters of the Gulf. Steamships, such as Charles Morgan’s line out of New York City, chose Indianola over other Texas ports. On September 16, 1875, the town was hit by a hurricane with an estimated 115 mph winds and strong storm surge. Eight hundred deaths were recorded along the Texas coast while 75% of the town of Indianola had been destroyed.

Eleven years later in 1886, a second hurricane headed towards Indianola. Experts believe the hurricane of 1886 was the fifth largest storm to ever strike the United States, a Category 4. At the time it hit Indianola, on August 20, 1886, it was the strongest hurricane ever recorded with winds an estimated 155 mph, a pressure of 925 mbar, and a storm surge of 15 feet.

The 1886 Hurricane was a classic Texas Style Cape Verde Hurricane: The storm originated in mid August just outside of the Carribbean Sea, moved through the Carribbean and Gulf, then made landfall in Indianola, Texas as at least a borderline Catagory 4-5, completely destroying the town. The storm’s intensity was unprecedented with a barometer reading of 925 mbs, and remains the strongest hurricane to ever hit Texas and at least the 5th strongest in US history. Due to the complete destruction of Indianola, and therby destruction of storm data, it is entirely possible that the Indianola Hurricane was stronger than records show. Damages from the hurricane in 1886 are unknown but catastrophic (it completely destroyed the most important port city in Texas). If a similar hurricane were to strike today, the damage would be equally as catastrophic and billions of dollars in damages would be caused. The coastline from Port Aransas to Bay City would be completely leveled by a 25 foot surge. Surge flooding might even extend to Victoria and Cureo via the Guadalupe River. With winds in excess of 155 mph, everything not destroyed by surge would be toppled by the extreme winds. Damages caused by these winds would probably be similar to those caused by Andrew. Severe inland flooding would also probably take place in the Texas Hill Country.
–Source - wunderground.com

In 1875 the casualty toll was 400 deaths, the 1886 Hurricane took less lives, 46, because residents were able to relocate to higher ground. Indianola was reportedly “obliterated” by the massive hurricane. When it was over, residents gave up their dream and packed their bags, the port city known as the Queen of the West was no more.

Source – Wunderground.com
Source – Legends of America, Indianola, TX
Source – A Brief History of Indianola Texas
Source – Wikipedia – Indianola Hurricane of 1886
Source – NOAA – The Indianola Hurricane
Image - Indianola

Tags: 1886 hurricane, 1900, Camille, Carla, Category 4, Category 5, Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Ike, hurricanes, Indianola, Matagorda Bay, Rita, storm surge