While Celia pales in strength comparisons with other storms, this hurricane introduced an aspect of hurricanes previously thought to be impossible - incredible wind gusts that far exceed the hurricane's winds. With winds of 130 mph and wind gusts estimated as high as 180, Celia gave the Coastal Bend a taste of the massive destruction that can occur with hurricanes.
The final estimate of damage was placed at $453 million dollars. In terms of today's dollars, the estimate would be closer to $1.83 billion dollars. Celia killed 9 people and cause 466 injuries, a small amount when compared to the damage caused to housing structures.
To the people who experienced Celia, it was a storm they will never forget. The wind gusts were confined to small areas "looking almost like a tiger's claw" over the city of Corpus Christi. One man, in his desciption of the wind burst, stated the sound of the gust was "like a giant hammer hitting the building."
The following sections of Celia information will provide more insight into this deadly hurricane.
| Report on Celia | More Information on this destructive storm |
| Path and Tracking Data | Celia's Path and Postition Observations |
| Pictures | Pictures of Celia's Destruction |