At the time of the 1900 hurricane, the highest point in the city of Galveston was only 8.7 ft (2.7 m) above sea level.
The hurricane brought with it a storm surge of over 15 ft (4.6 m) that washed over the entire island.
Storm surge and tides began flooding the city by the early morning hours of September 8.
Water rose steadily from 3:00 p.m. (21:00 UTC) until approximately 7:30 p.m. (01:30 UTC September 9), when eyewitness accounts indicated that water rose about 4 ft (1.2 m) in just four seconds.
An additional 5 ft (1.5 m) of water had flowed into portions of the city by 8:30 p.m. (02:30 UTC September 9).
The cyclone dropped 9 in (230 mm) of precipitation in Galveston on September 8, setting a record for the most rainfall for any 24-hour period in the month of September in the city's history.

The highest measured wind speed was 100 mph (160 km/h) just after 6:15 p.m. on September 8 (00:15
 UTC September 9), but the Weather Bureau's anemometer was blown off the building shortly after that measurement was recorded.
Contemporaneous estimates placed the maximum sustained wind speed at 120 mph (190 km/h).
However, survivors reported observing bricks, slate, timbers, and other heavy objects becoming airborne, indicating that winds were likely stronger.
Later estimates placed the hurricane at the higher Category 4 classification on the Saffir–Simpson scale.
The lowest recorded barometric pressure was 964.4 mbar (28.48 inHg), but this was subsequently adjusted to the storm's official lowest measured central pressure of about 936 mbar (27.6 inHg).

Few streets in the city escaped wind damage and all streets suffered water damage, with much of the destruction caused by storm surge.
All bridges connecting the island to the mainland were washed away, while approximately 15 mi (24 km) of railroad track was destroyed.
Winds and storm surge also downed electrical, telegraph, and telephone wires.
The surge swept buildings off their foundations and dismantled them.
Many buildings and homes destroyed other structures after being pushed into them by the waves, which even demolished structures built to withstand hurricanes.
Every home in Galveston suffered damage, with 3,636 homes destroyed.
Approximately 10,000 people in the city were left homeless, out of a total population of nearly 38,000.
The Tremont Hotel, where hundreds of people sought refuge during the storm, was severely damaged.
All public buildings also suffered damage, including city hall – which was completely deroofed – a hospital, a city gas works, a city water works, and the custom house.
The Grand Opera House also sustained extensive damage, but was quickly rebuilt.

Three schools and St. Mary's University were nearly destroyed.
Many places of worship in the city also received severe damage or were completely demolished.
Of the 39 churches in Galveston, 25 experienced complete destruction, while the others received some degree of damage.
During the storm, the St. Mary's Orphans Asylum, owned by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, was occupied by 93 children and 10 sisters.
As tides began approaching the property, the sisters moved the children into the girl's dorm, as it was newer and sturdier.
Realizing they were under threat, the sisters had the children repeatedly sing Queen of the Waves to calm them.
As the collapse of the building appeared imminent, the sisters used a clothesline to tie themselves to six to eight children.
The building eventually collapsed.
Only three of the children and none of the sisters survived.
The few buildings that survived, mostly solidly built mansions and houses along the Strand District, are today maintained as tourist attractions.

Early property damage estimates were placed at $25 million.
However, itemized estimates from 1901 based on assessments conducted by the Galveston News, the Galveston chamber of commerce, a relief committee, and multiple insurance companies indicated that the storm caused just over $17 million in damage throughout Galveston, including about $8.44 million to residential properties, $500,000 to churches,
At the time of the 1900 hurricane, the highest point in the city of Galveston was only 8.7 ft (2.7 m) above sea level. The hurricane brought with it a storm surge of over 15 ft (4.6 m) that washed over the entire island. Storm surge and tides began flooding the city by the early morning hours of September 8. Water rose steadily from 3:00 p.m. (21:00 UTC) until approximately 7:30 p.m. (01:30 UTC September 9), when eyewitness accounts indicated that water rose about 4 ft (1.2 m) in just four seconds. An additional 5 ft (1.5 m) of water had flowed into portions of the city by 8:30 p.m. (02:30 UTC September 9). The cyclone dropped 9 in (230 mm) of precipitation in Galveston on September 8, setting a record for the most rainfall for any 24-hour period in the month of September in the city's history.
The highest measured wind speed was 100 mph (160 km/h) just after 6:15 p.m. on September 8 (00:15
 UTC September 9), but the Weather Bureau's anemometer was blown off the building shortly after that measurement was recorded. Contemporaneous estimates placed the maximum sustained wind speed at 120 mph (190 km/h). However, survivors reported observing bricks, slate, timbers, and other heavy objects becoming airborne, indicating that winds were likely stronger. Later estimates placed the hurricane at the higher Category 4 classification on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The lowest recorded barometric pressure was 964.4 mbar (28.48 inHg), but this was subsequently adjusted to the storm's official lowest measured central pressure of about 936 mbar (27.6 inHg).
Few streets in the city escaped wind damage and all streets suffered water damage, with much of the destruction caused by storm surge. All bridges connecting the island to the mainland were washed away, while approximately 15 mi (24 km) of railroad track was destroyed. Winds and storm surge also downed electrical, telegraph, and telephone wires. The surge swept buildings off their foundations and dismantled them. Many buildings and homes destroyed other structures after being pushed into them by the waves, which even demolished structures built to withstand hurricanes. Every home in Galveston suffered damage, with 3,636 homes destroyed. Approximately 10,000 people in the city were left homeless, out of a total population of nearly 38,000. The Tremont Hotel, where hundreds of people sought refuge during the storm, was severely damaged. All public buildings also suffered damage, including city hall – which was completely deroofed – a hospital, a city gas works, a city water works, and the custom house. The Grand Opera House also sustained extensive damage, but was quickly rebuilt.
Three schools and St. Mary's University were nearly destroyed. Many places of worship in the city also received severe damage or were completely demolished. Of the 39 churches in Galveston, 25 experienced complete destruction, while the others received some degree of damage. During the storm, the St. Mary's Orphans Asylum, owned by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, was occupied by 93 children and 10 sisters. As tides began approaching the property, the sisters moved the children into the girl's dorm, as it was newer and sturdier. Realizing they were under threat, the sisters had the children repeatedly sing Queen of the Waves to calm them. As the collapse of the building appeared imminent, the sisters used a clothesline to tie themselves to six to eight children. The building eventually collapsed. Only three of the children and none of the sisters survived. The few buildings that survived, mostly solidly built mansions and houses along the Strand District, are today maintained as tourist attractions.
Early property damage estimates were placed at $25 million. However, itemized estimates from 1901 based on assessments conducted by the Galveston News, the Galveston chamber of commerce, a relief committee, and multiple insurance companies indicated that the storm caused just over $17 million in damage throughout Galveston, including about $8.44 million to residential properties, $500,000 to churches, 
1900 Galveston hurricane