Conduct ESSA

Study 2

Hurricane Beulah of 1967

Hurricane Beulah was the second tropical storm, second hurricane, and only major hurricane during the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season. It tracked through the Caribbean, struck the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico as a major hurricane, and moved west-northwest into the Gulf of Mexico, briefly gaining Category 5 intensity. It was the strongest hurricane during the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season. The hurricane made landfall in northeastern Mexico with winds near 160 mph (257 km/h). The cyclone then weakened before moving into Texas as a major hurricane. It spawned 115 tornadoes across Texas, which established a new record for the highest amount of tornadoes produced by a tropical cyclone. Due to its slow movement over Texas, Beulah led to significant flooding. At the time, Beulah ranked as the second-costliest hurricane on record, having left roughly $1 billion (1967 USD) in damage. Throughout its path, at least 688 people were killed.

Weather History: Hurricane Beulah
On this day in weather history, September 19th, 1967, Hurricane Beulah deluged Brownsville, Texas.

We have much to learn by listening and reflecting on the stories that survivors of hurricanes have to share. Oral histories allow us to tap into the vibrant stories and collect empirical data that can bring forth the impact that these natural disasters can have and how to possibility avoid some of the damage it can bring.

Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins records disaster songs such as this one for Hurricane Beulah