Wednesday, August 27th, 2003 — The Insurance Council of Texas reported that Hurricane Claudette, which hit the Texas coast in July, caused an estimated $90 million in insured losses, placing the storm just ahead of Hurricane Carla in dollar losses. Claudette came ashore July 15, striking land at Port OConnor with wind gusts in excess of 100 miles an hour.
Heavy rainfall on the northern edge of the storm caused flooding and major erosion in portions of Galveston and Brazoria Counties. Heavy winds struck Matagorda, Port OConnor and Port Lavaca inland to Victoria. Approximately half of the claims reported to insurance companies occurred in Victoria County. The storm killed two people.
Hurricane Carla was a huge storm when it also landed near Port OConnor in 1961 causing widespread destruction. Carlas $85 million in insured losses would amount to $523 million dollars in todays economy.