Independence Day floods among Texas' most devastating natural disasters
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A week has passed since Central Texas was struck with catastrophic flash flooding over the July 4 weekend. While many questions remain unanswered, and communities across the state are only in the beginning stages of recovery, it is becoming more clear just how devastating and fatal the weather event was.
The floods claimed the lives of at least 129 people. At least 166 people remain missing, as of the latest updates from officials Friday evening.
AccuWeather estimated that the floods have caused between $18 billion and $22 billion in total damage.
The Hill Country flooding event is already among some of the worst natural disasters in Texas' history.
Below is a breakdown of some of the state's most devastating weather disasters since 1900, citing information from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Centers for Environmental Information, Texas State Historical Association and other local officials.
Winter Storm of 2021
A historic cold wave and winter storm impacted many northwest, central and eastern states in February 2021. The prolonged arctic air caused widespread power outages in Texas and other southern states.
In Texas, extreme conditions caused or contributed to the direct and indirect deaths of more than 210 people, according to NCEI data. The estimated CPI-adjusted damage cost was around $27.2 billion.
Hurricane Harvey, 2017
On Aug. 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey became the first Category 4 storm to hit the United States since 2004, and the first to hit the Texas coast since 1970, according to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).
Hurricane Harvey caused a CPI-adjusted estimated cost of $158.8 billion in damages, making it the second-most costly hurricane in U.S. history, only behind Hurricane Katrina, per NESDIS.
Harvey claimed the lives of 89 direct victims, and many more suffered long-term consequences from the floodwaters, mold, and other hazards left behind from the storm, NESDIS noted.
Hurricane Ike, 2008
Hurricane Ike made landfall near Galveston on Sept. 12, 2008 as a Category 2 hurricane. It was the largest (in size) Atlantic hurricane on record and caused considerable storm surge in coastal Texas and significant wind and flooding damage, per NCEI.
At least 112 people in the U.S. died during the storm. The Texas Department of State Health Services identified 74 deaths in Texas as directly, indirectly, or possibly related to Ike.
The CPI-adjusted estimated cost in damages caused by Hurricane Ike was $43.2 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Hurricane Rita, 2005
Category 3 Hurricane Rita hit the Texas-Louisiana border coastal region on Sept. 20., 2005. At least 119 people died in the storm, and the CPI-adjusted cost in damages was $29.4 billion, according to NCEI.
Tropical Storm Allison, 2001
Tropical Storm Allison produced rainfall amounts of 30-40 inches in portions of coastal Texas and Louisiana, causing severe flooding especially in the Houston area, according to NCEI.
The storm caused 43 deaths and an estimated CPI-adjusted damage cost of $15.1 billion.
Hurricane Carla, 1961
Hurricane Carla was the largest hurricane of record in Texas, according to the Texas State Historical Association. It occurred Sept. 8–14, 1961, on the Texas coast near Galveston.
The total damage to property and crops amounted to over $300 million. According to the TSHA, because about 250,000 people were evacuated from the coastal region, only 34 were killed and 465 were injured.
Waco Tornado Outbreak of 1953
On May 11, 1953, a tornado hit Waco, killing 114 people and injuring 600, according to WacoHistory.org.
According to the website, approximately $51 million of property damages occurred.
Central Texas Flood of 1921
On Sept. 9, 1921, a storm event moved through Central Texas and produced between 7-14 inches of rainfall across San Antonio, which drained into the San Antonio River and flowed south through the center of the city, according to the San Antonio River Authority. It resulted in a devastating flood event on the San Antonio River and tributaries to the west of downtown.
Damages totaled $3.7 million (over $56 million in 2021). The official death toll counted 51 people who died in the flood, according to the authority.
Galveston Hurricane of 1900
The Galveston hurricane of 1900, which happened Sept. 8–9, is known as the worst natural disaster in United States history, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
It's estimated that between 6,000-8,000 people died, and property loss was estimated at around $40 million, per the TSHA. Flooding caused most of the damage.