Remembering the Storm

Damage to St.Patricks Church in the 1900 Galveston hurricane. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.3_FF2_3)
Damage to St.Patricks Church in the 1900 Galveston hurricane. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.3_FF2_3)

Remembering the Storm immerses readers in the rich history of Galveston, Texas, blending architectural beauty, the aftermath of the Civil War, and the devastating 1900 hurricane that nearly destroyed the city. Fans of Victorian-era history and those intrigued by the impact of natural disasters will find themselves drawn to this unforgettable narrative.

Lucas Terrace Apartments on 1407 Broadway St. built in 1894 where Daisy Thorne lived. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.7_FF1_12-1)
Lucas Terrace Apartments on 1407 Broadway St. built in 1894 where Daisy Thorne lived. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.7_FF1_12-1)

Nineteen-year-old Ellie McLean is determined to become a dedicated teacher in Galveston, with lofty goals of addressing racism and advancing women’s rights. When she meets Jim on a train, their budding connection challenges her dreams in unexpected ways. But as the two grow closer, an impending storm-both literal and metaphorical-looms over the city. On the night of September 8, 1900, the Great Storm strikes, forever changing Ellie’s life and the lives of everyone she knows.

Devastation after September 8, 1900 storm. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.7_FF1_10-1)
Devastation after September 8, 1900 storm. Photo courtesy of the Rosenberg Library (G_1771.7_FF1_10-1)

In the aftermath, Ellie faces not only the physical destruction of her city but also the internal struggles of discrimination, sexism, and her relationship with Jim. With courage and a fierce love for her city and its people, Ellie is forced to make life-altering decisions that will shape her future. Remembering the Storm is a powerful story of survival, resilience, and love amidst chaos.

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Praise for Remembering the Storm

The book braids personal loss, civic rebuilding, and local politics around race and memory into one long life story. At its heart, it is a love letter to Galveston and to the stubborn people who try to make that city more just. Literary Titan

We feel the horror and the urgency as people hold on to the roofs of destroyed houses to stay above the raging waters … All in all, if you want to understand what the Galveston Hurricane meant to the people who lived there, and how its effects lingered more than 70 years later, I would heartily recommend Lucy Davila Hakemack’s Remembering the Storm." Readers’ Favorite