SUMMER’S FIRST BIG BLOW  | The arms of Alberto reached across Galveston 

By Forest Riggs 

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season started June 1st, and it took only eighteen or so days for the warm Gulf waters to feed a disturbance, reminding all that hurricane season has arrived.  

The first named storm of the season, Alberto, came ashore in northern Mexico and the far-reaching bands of wind and rain, pummeled the Texas coast for two days. With rainfall amounts reaching as much as 9.5 inches in places, coastal communities experienced torrential flooding and damage. In Galveston, winds as high as 41 mph roared for hours. Combing the high winds with the high tide, waters rose and inundated coastal towns. 

Like the Keith Whitley song, “I’m No Stranger to the Rain”, Galvestonians were prepared and hunkered down for the duration of the onslaught. Residents were given short periods of reprieve between the engulfing bands forcefully arriving, and even some rays of sun peeked through the heavy clouds.  

Though there was not as much rainfall as had been predicted, areas of the island suffered intense flooding and water damage. The heavy winds brought havoc and destruction to many structures and vegetation, with palm fronds and shattered limbs littering many streets once the tempest had stopped. 

Even though it was Juneteenth and the island — being the birthplace of the holiday — was trying to celebrate, there was not much of a celebratory atmosphere. It was windy, raining and the streets were flooded.  

Well-known island attorney (and prankster) Mark Metzger III, brought some levity to the day when he paddled an inflated unicorn float along the flooded Strand, making jokes about paid parking. Mark is an island character that enjoys making sure the locals and visitors get a good chuckle now and then. Even in the gloom of a tropical storm, Mark came through with his colorful addition to the day. 

The day after the storm found the island basking in beautiful sunshine. The humidity had gone for a brief period and the sky was blue. It was, as they say, a “Chamber of Commerce” day. Hard to tell that just a day before, all hell was breaking loose. One thing is for sure, Galveston weather is as complex and odd as most of the folks that inhabit the island. It can be raining in one location and bright sunshine only a few blocks away. The locals are very aware of the weather dynamics and make the most of it.  

On a brighter note, in 1902 the Seawall was constructed. Though some town leaders were against the design and massive undertaking at the time, over the years it has served its purpose and protected the isle from many dangerous storm surges. Even in this tropical storm, the waves crashed at the very top of the wall and onto the sidewalk but did not spill over and cause destruction. The Galveston Seawall stands as testament to the creativity and determined mindset of Galvestonians to protect their island at all costs. Once again, the iconic Galveston Seawall did its job!  

Alberto did his best to wreak some havoc with his long and strong arms reaching across the Gulf Coast, but fortunately, his grasp was not as powerful as some have been in the past. The island drew a collective sigh of relief, and all felt a thankful attitude.  

The season is young and there will be more storms. Weather watchers have predicted quite a few storms and made it clear that warmer Gulf waters and La Nina will enhance the severity of the systems that develop. The season is just starting, and we wait. But Galveston is ready. 

Be 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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