Hurricane Ike hit land along the Texas Gulf Coast in mid-September and handed some communities big losses, cleanup and rebuilding chores. The Associated Press called Ike the most expensive storm in Texas history, with an estimated price tag of over $11 billion.
Parts of the Houston metro area and Galveston were hardest hit, but other coastal communities had little or no damage. Most of the storm’s Houston hits were to residences but major meeting facilities and attractions escaped major damage and repairs are done. At press time, Galveston was continuing to rebuild some venues.
“Galveston was spared major damage after hurricane Ike’s landfall thanks to the 1900 Great Storm survivors’ creation of the famed Seawall,” says Rochelle Gaskins, public relations manager for the Galveston CVB. “The Galveston Hotel and Lodging Association reported minimal damage to island hotels after Hurricane Ike swept through Galveston on September 13. The Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort (GICC) sustained minimal damage from Hurricane Ike. The venue began to hold events and conferences just three weeks after the storm. Moody Gardens Hotel and Conference Center reported very minimal damage and is also holding meetings.”
According to an October edition of the Houston Business Journal, Galveston’s Kemah Boardwalk sustained damages in the millions of dollars, and would not reopen until March 2009 at the earliest.
For information on Galveston Island’s recovery as well as details on events, attractions and lodging, planners can visit www.galveston.com or call (888) GAL-ISLE.
