Hurricane season begins

Not so big, bad Bertha

So far, so good. We are about two months into the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season and so far, knock
on wood, without any major disturbances or damaging storms. Many folks on the island comment how, “We’ve been spared.” Some say, “We’re due for a big one.”

I know it feels as if we’ve been spared, but when it comes to hurricanes and storms, Galvestonians are well aware of the yearly risks. The storms have been coming for years, and they will continue to churn in the Gulf of Mexico, causing alarm and concern each summer.

In the very recent past, we experienced 2026’s first disturbance along the Texas Louisiana coastline, Tropical Storm Bertha. Of course, the media and prognosticators did their best at playing it up, raising fear and anxiety levels. Galvestonians have seen and experienced enough weather to know when it is time to hunker down or maybe throw a storm watch party, and some do both.

As usual, the Seawall was lined with mobile news units, complete with flashy, wrapped vans, telescoping antennae and bright lights on tripods. It was quite a show. We figure, if we don’t see The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore, it’s not going to be a bad one. When I see the colored spaghetti maps on the channels, I’m reminded of my Italian grandmother who taught us to throw a strand of spaghetti against the refrigerator door and if it was done, it would stick. Some of those maps look like someone tossed an entire pot of pasta against that door. Lines everywhere.

Surfers flock to the waves that are a bit higher and more fierce than normal. They come out in droves. Some curious locals and visitors walk on the Seawall to take in all the action. If the media spins its fear, grocery stores as well as gas stations get hit with a “run” on everyday necessities. Meanwhile, we plan a watch party and stop by Spec’s for the juices.

Another thing interesting about weather and Gulf Coast living happens when a storm or disturbance forms off Africa. The first thing one hears is the storm’s proximity to Galveston Island.

Little ol’ Galveston. Remembering the Great Storm of 1900 has melded the words “hurricane” and “Galveston” into the collective minds of the world. Fame does have its price!
Bertha did strengthen a bit and came ashore right at the Texas and Louisiana state line. It brought with it quite a bit of rain and wind gusts up to 50-plus MPH, but nothing like some past storms. The streets of Galveston flood with the slightest rain but it usually runs off pretty fast. My grandmother used to call these small storms “turd floaters.” After living in an area that is frequented by heavy rains, I know exactly what she meant by that phrase — just some wind and rain. Nothing serious.
The clouds did churn up, things turned black and made for some

scary skies. A friend who lives on his yacht at a nearby marina said he
stood on his deck and watched the turbulent and dark clouds arrive.
When Bertha did get here and started stirring things, many of us gathered inside Lucky Lounge on the Seawall, hoisted our drinks and watched the little tempest do its thing.
On a serious note, these storms are not to be taken lightly — none of them. The most important aspect of Gulf Coast living and tropical weather is preparedness. Like the Boy Scouts say, “Be prepared!”
It is critical to stock up on things you might need if power is lost. When there is no water, no grocery stores, and no ATMs or banks, it can get rough. Make sure to have plenty of water, food for yourself and pets, full prescriptions, candles or light sources and toilet paper. I always keep three-liter soda bottles filled with water and frozen in the freeze. These “blocks” of ice keep a refrigerator cool for a few days if the door is not constantly opened for wine and beer!

Other jugs and bottles filled with water can be used to flush toilets. Some people even fill their bathtubs with water. I like that idea, but I don’t want to drink my coffee or tea with a hint of Old Spice Body Wash in it.

Be prepared.

As we move toward September — historically our worst month for storms — stay calm, watch or listen to legitimate news sources and be ready. So far, the island has been spared, and our collective prayer is that the season will pass with no damaging storm activity. The National Weather Service and all the pundits say we are expecting a very mild season again this year, mainly due to El Nino in the Gulf of Mexico.

Stay safe.

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.

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