Gulf Coast Hurricane of July, 1916

In July 1916, a tropical disturbance was detected near Honduras, leading to storm warnings along the US Gulf Coast. By July 5th, the storm had strengthened into a hurricane, making landfall near Pascagoula, Mississippi, with significant impact on Mobile, Alabama. The hurricane caused record winds and storm tides, leading to widespread destruction in Mobile and Pensacola. Over the following days, the storm moved inland, causing floods and crop damage in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The hurricane resulted in over 80 fatalities and significant financial damage, equivalent to over $100 million today.

What was the initial response to the tropical disturbance detected near Honduras?

• Deployment of rescue teams

• Issuance of storm cautions to the US Gulf Coast

• Construction of flood barriers

• Immediate evacuation of coastal areas

Where did the hurricane make landfall as a Category 3 storm?

• Pensacola, Florida

• Pascagoula, Mississippi

• Mobile, Alabama

• Biloxi, Mississippi

What was the peak wind speed recorded in Mobile, Alabama during the hurricane?

• 90 mph

• 95 mph

• 120 mph

• 107 mph

How did the storm tide in Mobile compare to the hurricane 10 years earlier?

• It was the same height

• It was two feet higher

• It was two feet lower

• There was no storm tide

What was the total estimated damage cost of the hurricane in 1916 dollars?

• $1 million

• $2 million

• $6 million

• $4 million