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In this section of the book it is clearly stated that the Galveston storm was Isaac’s storm. “What he knew of it came from living it” (pg. 149) So what exactly does this section of the book cover? Most of these two chapters recall Isaac’s personal events, within that it talks about the incorrectness of the news and the Weather Bureau. Were both of these sources actually in the wrong?

After the storm had hit telephone lines were down for days, from Saturday to Tuesday. (pg. 116) This is a key contributor to why information could have been incorrect. The news became the city’s main source of information about friends and relatives. So what happens when the news is not being reported correctly? In the Newspaper there was a “Not Dead” list, however this list was not completely accurate. People could be named here then found a few days later. It should be noted that people could not tell the difference from a white or black corpse, another reason this list could have not been accurate. The news also made false claims about black citizens. The news claimed that black men were looting bodies and “chewing off fingers to get diamond rings.” (pg 242) This was due to racism, while the looting did occur, people over exaggerated stories and claimed only blacks participated. Days after the storm, one the telephone lines were open, other weather reporters and newspapers began reporting about Galveston. These accounts were also wrong. Stories came in changing Isaac’s story and debating if people were actually notified by the coming storm of not. However, Moore was another weather reporter that under estimated the storm, yet Isaac got the heat. (pg. 252) It was due to these inaccurate accounts that people began to embarrass the Weather Bureau and try to eliminate them. Then on Monday September 10th the Weather Bureau reported that the storm had left. However, in Medina Ohio they did not believe this. When high winds came through they messaged back asking for why nothing was mentioned about the large “blows”. (pg. 263)

So why did so many people write about the Galveston storm, even if their information was wrong? Humans like disaster and are drawn to it. For example, after the flood was over the fathers vowed to rebuild the city. They created an exhibit at the World Fair of 1904. This exhibit explained the city’s plans to build a seawall and a new city. At the World Fair the Galveston exhibit became one of the most popular. Just like McKennedy21 states the Johnstown Flood went from a natural disaster to a leisure event.