Rebuilding

Rebuilding

Mental Floss- There have been a number of disasters that have destroyed homes, businesses, and people's livelihood. When you have lost everything, rebuilding may seem like an unattainable endeavor. But it is possible, it will take funds, volunteers, the right equipment, and time. America has seen its share of disasters; Great Chicago Fire and San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake. But one thing is for sure, we have always come through. Here are a few cities that have pulled through.   

Standing Strong

On September 8, 1900, Galveston, Texas was hit with a category 4 hurricane. It killed thousands as a result of poor meteorological reporting and townspeople who dismissed evacuation warnings. It destroyed almost 4000 homes, took out bridges to the mainland, and telegraph lines. Because the island was completely cut off from all communication with mainland Texas, it took two full days to send news to President McKinley that the city was in ruins. Nearly four days later the city received its first mail delivery, and relief supplies began trickling in. After a seawall project had been rejected a decade before the storm, between 1902 and 1904, a wall was built with additional segments added in the 30’s through the 60’s. Today the Galveston Seawall serves as a scenic boardwalk and tourist attraction.

St. Louis, Missouri has seen their fair share of disasters; more than 100 tornadoes in the last 140 years. But in 1896 an outbreak produced a number of tornadoes as a pair of supercell thunderstorms formed over Missouri. The first one killed two people and caused damage in rural areas, the second tornado touched down in St. Louis then crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois. 255 people were killed, and it caused $2.2 billion in property damage (today’s currency). St. Louis is Missouri’s second-largest city, has three professional sports teams, and holds a population of more than 300,000 people.

In 1964, Anchorage, Alaska suffered a 9.2-magnitude earthquake that lasted 4 minutes. The short quake caused damage in  Alaska, tsunamis in Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Japan, and a massive underwater landslide in Port Valdez. Rebuilding efforts lasted through the remaining 60’s, and an oil boom in 1968 helped fund the regrowth. Over the years, the city has been outfitted with newly-built structures with motion sensors thanks to the help from the U.S. Geological Survey. Today, Anchorage is home to 40 percent of Alaska’s residents and an integral part of modern earthquake research.

United Rentals Abilene, Texas

Disasters strike in all parts of the world. It may seem that there is no hope, but with the help of neighbors and strangers, anything is possible. Our staff at United Rentals in Abilene keep those affected by this tragedy in south Texas in our hearts. We understand it takes more than the right equipment to build back lives, donations and volunteers are the first steps to rebuilding cities and lives.