Humberto dumbfounds weather forecasters and changes from a tropical storm to a hurricane as it slams into the Bolivar Peninsula while most residents are sleeping.
Humberto strengthened into a hurricane early Thursday, September 13th 2007, as it edged toward the Texas coast, packing 80 mph winds and promising more rain and possible flooding to a state coming off one of the wettest summers in more than 50 years.
Humberto didn't exist until late Wednesday afternoon, and wasn't even a tropical storm until almost midday, strengthening from a tropical depression with 35 mph winds to a hurricane with 85 mph winds in just 18 hours, senior hurricane specialist James Franklin said at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
"To put this development in perspective - no tropical cyclone in the historical record has ever reached this intensity at a faster rate near landfall," said Franklin.
Because of this, residents in the area did not have time to evacuate. Edward Petty, 50, was clearing debris in front of his Beaumont home and said he was surprised by the quick turn.
"It was amazing to go to sleep to a tropical storm and wake up to a hurricane," he said. "What are you going to do? You couldn't get up and drive away. You couldn't run for it. You just have to hunker down."
A couple of weeks ago hurricane Dean threatened the Texas Coast as well and state officials made sure to have all the necessary emergency responses in place in order to avoid a disastrous outcome. This storm was no exception. In Austin, Gov. Rick Perry activated 50 military vehicles with 200 soldiers, plus a half-dozen helicopters and two swift-water rescue teams. Other crews from the U.S. Coast Guard were on standby.
"Some areas of our state remain saturated by summer floods, and many communities in this storm's projected path are at high risk of dangerous flash flooding," Perry said.
The safety of your family is far more important than property loss and insurance issues. As this example shows, no one can predict just how quickly a hurricane can strike and a coastal property owner may have to ride it out counting on their home to protect their family.
See video about Hurricane Humberto
The State of Texas and an innovative local developer on the Bolivar Peninsula Galveston County have put in place a hurricane resistant coastline and housing products that could become the model answer to the nation’s coastal hurricane damage costs and insurance problems.
Crown Team Texas from Beaumont is now building affordable hurricane and flood resistance homes which are built locally in sections and bolted onto sky-scraper inspired concrete and steel pillars 25ft above and below the ground. The homes are certified hurricane resistant up to a category 4 hurricane by the I.B.H.S.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is a nonprofit association that engages in communication, education, engineering and research.
These attractive homes are placed at Audubon Village Gilchrist on the Bolivar Peninsula in a seaside neighborhood behind a geo-tube protected beachfront which is replenished with sand from dredging operations that are routinely done for the nation’s intracoastal waterway.
The Corps of Engineers installed a geo-tube on the coastline extending five miles on each side of rollover pass in Gilchrist Texas. The project provides protection of public beach and public infrastructure using a natural beach restoration technique. The project uses the cost-effective and beneficial use of dredged material and has been deemed as one of the most successful projects implemented by the Government to protect and enhance the Texas Coastline.
"If we had not had the tube it would have gotten two to three rows of homes," said Oehlers, president of the Gilchrist Association, in a telephone interview. "We didn't realize how bad it was because we had the tube," said Oehlers, who has lived in Gilchrist for 26 years.
“With a geo-tube enhanced beachfront and the added protection of hurricane resistant homes placed at almost flood proof heights, you have a combination that even the most cautious insurer can’t deny.” says Jim Hayes, Senior Partner of Crown Team Texas, developer of the Audubon Village.
“Best of all is the peace of mind that the homeowner can enjoy knowing that their home and beachfront are enhanced to endure nature's worst and we hope that this combination of government action and commercial home design is looked into as a long term solution to the rising costs from hurricane damages as more and more homeowners head to the coast.” Says Michael Stuart, CEO of TexasGulfCoastOnline.com
Read how Coastal Homes Are Becoming Safer And A Better Investment
 | Audubon Village Bolivar Peninsula Beachfront Resort:
Audubon Village offers six unique house plans, with amenities to suit your individual tastes. All homes in Audubon Village will have striking panoramic views of pristine, undisturbed Texas coastal prairie, along with magnificent sunrises over the Gulf and beautiful sunsets over the Bay.
Audubon Village offers insurance certified - hurricane resistant homes which are also behind a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) installed geo-tube re-enforced beachfront in Gilchrist Texas. The homes are placed on top of concrete and steel pillars which rise up to 25ft above and below the ground level providing an unprecedented level of protection.
Prices for homes complete with lot range from $132K! |