Hurricane Celia 1970 - The Days After

In 1970, Hurricane Celia struck Port Aransas dead on and wiped out much of the town. These home movies, edited down here show much of that terrible destruction. We tried a narrated version, but the pictures spoke better for themselves and we left it alone. It would be hard to ask you to enjoy these scenes, but do let it put you on your guard when facing natures wrath.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• hurricane
• Celia
• port
• aransas
• 1970
• history
• storms

[HilltopHomestead]

My grandparents lived in Ingleside at the time. We went inland I believe to Victoria. I was 3 then and remember not wanting to go into the house because I was afraid a tree would fall on it. That is really all I remember. My grandparents house faired well. My grandfather had to retrieve his boat from down the road.

[superjtrdr]

I remember hearing the house frame squeak every time a 160 mph gust came through. Our house was on the verge of falling. W pulled together as a community. Our street was one big family. True survival involves interdependence.

[Vanmanic]

I was almost 11 and living out in Clarkwood when Ceila came to town. The destruction was absolute. We took a tour afterwards from Robstown to Rockport and those memories will be engrained on my mind for life. I clearly recall the boats piled into a corner in AP and the oil tank floated across 35. I was awestruck by it all and there was plenty to see.. My mind drifted back to this storm and how my father must have felt as I sat in my stairwell here when Ike came in. Thanks for the footage. :D

[dhn305]

Thank you for this video. After seeing the weather people name another hurricane Celia this year, I wanted to look and see what videos might be out there. I was in CC in a house where the roof went flying off and we could see our neighbors roof fly off at about the same time. We were without electricity for 2 weeks. I have been through other hurricanes, but never like Celia.

[WINDYGAY]

So sad. I lived in S.F. and had no idea what a hurricaine really was. Since then I was in 18 in 22 months. Now I know!

[celya12]

@cel1268910 . well i guess my parents wanted 2 be different. but i like the way my name is spelled. it unique 2 me

[celya12]

@cel1268910 

[JIAUBRY]

WOW! I was 4yrs old and lived on Urban St in CC when this happened. My father also let us go outside during calm times. I remember parts and pieces of houses floating by the front on the yard. Luckily the only damage our house had was a broken window from a fallen tree. I just experianced Ike a while back and it brought back a lot of memories.

[cel1268910]

@celya12 Awwk come on!!!

My name is Celia,Exactly like this Hurricane. =(

[Exzeluke]

I remember the roof of our barn lifting off, frame & all, and flying over our house & down the street. The wind was clocked at 173mph. The storm was short & by 4pm the sun was shining & all was calm. We drove around Corpus & could not believe our eyes. Boats upside down on the street, roofs gone, fences gone, about every pane of glass in downtown buildings shattered, wires & poles down everywhere. Everyone talks about Hurricane Carla, which I also went through, but Celia was 100 times worse.