3 Seek High Ground!

3 SEEK HIGH GROUND! "It doesn't look like a day for a huge disaster," said Annie. Outside the café, people were clinging to their windblown umbrellas. But no one looked scared. Some even laughed as a man chased his cowboy hat down the sidewalk. At the café counter, a policeman was eating a sandwich and joking with a waitress. He didn't seem worried. No one seemed worried! Customers were cheerfully chatting with each other or reading newspapers. "What does the newspaper say?" asked Annie. "I'll check," said Jack. He jumped up and

grabbed a copy of the Galveston Daily News from an empty table. He sat back down and scanned the front page. Near the bottom was a small headline: STORM IN THE GULF "Listen!" Jack said to Annie. He read aloud: The awaited Gulf storm has moved north over Cuba. The weather bureau reports no new information about the storm's movements. Most likely, it changed course before reaching Texas. Jack put down the paper. "That's so wrong," he said. "It's heading straight for Galveston." "I don't get it," said Annie. "Why doesn't the weather bureau know that a terrible hurricane is coming?" "I guess because in 1900, they didn't have radar or satellites," said Jack. "They didn't

have computers or TV or weather apps or—" "Okay. Got it," said Annie. Jack picked up their book again. His heart was racing as he read aloud: On September 8, Galveston was completely unprepared for a terrible hurricane. For eight hours, raging winds and water rushed across the island. Thousands of lives were lost in the storm surge. "Thousands of lives? That's terrible!" said Annie. "What's a storm surge?" "It's when high winds push the ocean water over land," Jack said. He kept reading: Seawater from both the Gulf and the bay covered the whole island. Those who fled to higher ground had a better chance of surviving. Many found safety in tall, sturdy buildings, such as the Tremont

House hotel and the Ursuline Academy. "Morgan's message makes perfect sense now," said Annie. "We have to help people. We literally have to tell them to 'seek high ground now' and 'do not delay!'" She turned back to the elderly couple at the next table. "Excuse me, but we have information that a powerful hurricane is coming here today," she said. "Everyone needs to seek high ground."

"Or go to the Tremont House," Jack said. "Or the Ursuline Academy." The woman smiled at them. "You're both so sweet wanting to help everyone. We're expecting a bad storm, but not a hurricane," she said. "She's right," the man said. "And we're used to bad storms here. That's why many of our houses are raised up on pillars. It keeps the floodwaters from coming in." Jack just nodded. "Okay. Thanks," he said. He didn't know what else to do. He couldn't show them a book from the future! "Jack, we have to tell someone in charge," Annie said. "How about that policeman? He should be the one to warn everyone." "Okay," said Jack. Jack put their Texas book into his knapsack. Annie grabbed their umbrella. They hurried over to the policeman. "Excuse me, sir," said Annie. "We have reliable information that Galveston is about

to have the worst natural disaster in U.S. history." "That's right, sir," said Jack, trying to sound calm. "Everyone needs to seek higher ground or find shelter in tall, sturdy buildings." The jolly-looking policeman grinned. "And where did you kids get your information?" he said. "Uh… someone told us," said Jack. "Someone really smart." "Well, shame on them for scaring you," the policeman said. "I spoke to our local weatherman this morning. He said we're going to have strong winds and some bad rain, but nothing more." "But he's wrong, sir," said Annie. "We're telling you the facts." "I don't want you to worry, little girl," the policeman said kindly. "Why don't you go have fun with all the young folks down on the Strand? They're having a grand time