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84-538: It was built in Sharpstown Industrial Park Section 12. The mall opened as Sharpstown Center , on September 14, 1961, mere days after Hurricane Carla affected Houston, with future United States Senator Ted Kennedy appearing during the opening ceremony as the main speaker. A 1970 Houston Chronicle article stated that Frank Sharp decided not to delay the opening; therefore the morale of Houstonians would be increased. Not surprisingly,

168-557: A 14-screen Edwards Theatres multiplex as a new anchor for the mall, replacing the Alamo Drafthouse cinema which continued to operate until the completion of construction on the Edwards multiplex that resulted in the demolition of much of the former Mervyn's wing, which was briefly anchored by Steve & Barry's before the latter chain went bankrupt in 2009. Other anchor changes during this time included Fortis College filling

252-641: A bold and brave people." After his report to President John F. Kennedy and Congress , $ 55 million was approved in aid for Texas, though Kennedy later requested an additional $ 65 million. President Kennedy issued a disaster declaration for Texas, allowing all jurisdictions in the state to apply for public assistance. The president also declared 6 parishes in Louisiana a disaster area. Helicopters deployed 88  United States Marines to Galveston to patrol devastated areas. A United States Navy task force composed of medical and construction work teams

336-561: A core customer base in Fort Bend County that had long been critical to the mall's survival. Tom Estus, a shopping center broker of the Shelby/Estus Realty Group, said "It's a classic case of being passed up by newer, better malls. First Colony clipped it the hardest. The other places were more exciting to shop in. They were new. They were easier to get in and get out of." First Colony would also eventually seal

420-658: A few small bridges were washed out. Precipitation of 2.5–3.5 inches (64–89 mm) in Chicago flooded about 60 viaducts and 1,000 basements. After the Chicago River rose 5 feet (1.5 m), the lock gate to Lake Michigan was opened to release excess water. However, the abrupt onrush of water resulted in about $ 75,000 in damage to boats at Wilmette Harbor . Winds in Key West reached 30 mph (48 km/h), while much of Florida reported rainfall from

504-577: A hurricane on September 6, Carla curved northward in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. At 1200 UTC on September 7, the storm intensified into a Category 2 hurricane while located east-northeast of Cozumel , Quintana Roo , Mexico (actual use of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which was developed in 1971, was not in effect). Shortly thereafter, Carla crossed the Yucatán Channel and entered

588-509: A large family lounge, live entertainment stages, and a children's play area. The redevelopment into PlazAmericas was expected to create 500 jobs. Signs indicating the renaming appeared by January 29, 2010. But on December 21, 2018, Houston-based Baker Katz LLC, would purchase the main portion of the mall, as the anchors have different owners. Hurricane Carla Hurricane Carla was the most intense tropical cyclone landfall in Texas in

672-423: A lineup of outlet retail and entertainment options, as well as from a resurgent Memorial City Mall that completed a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2002. Both malls effectively lured shoppers from the rapidly growing and prosperous Greater Katy area away, with Memorial City's resurgence also hastening the decline of Town & Country Mall which closed in 2004 and would be redeveloped as CityCentre . The openings of

756-643: A meteorologist to outline the Gulf of Mexico on a transparent sheet of plastic. He then held the map over the black and white radar screen, which put the size of Carla into perspective, saying that Carla was the size of the Gulf of Mexico. CBS was so impressed with Rather's work that he was offered the position of correspondent. Throughout Texas, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 460 injuries according to

840-487: A new studio complex for the city's NBC television affiliate, KPRC-TV and its sister radio station KPRC-AM . By 1970, Sharpstown Center had 57 stores and was fully leased. The 1970s also saw the opening of The Galleria and Westwood Mall , which became Sharpstown's two strongest competitors over the next two decades. While the Galleria was unique in its strong focus on upscale retailers such as Neiman Marcus , Westwood

924-507: A number of years." Chumley also stated that the mall would cater to the Hispanic population (which now constituted 52% of the population of the mall's three-mile trade area), would undergo a $ 10 million renovation to boost its appeal to Hispanic shoppers, and would have 350 stores by the time renovations were completed. The property would include an 83,000 square feet (7,700 m) "mercado" (marketplace) that would have many smaller businesses,

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1008-563: A peak of 8.18 inches (208 mm) in Mount Carroll . Thus, Carla is the second-wettest tropical cyclone in Illinois , behind only Hurricane Audrey in 1957 . Additionally, up to 6.29 inches (160 mm) fell in 24 hours. Severe local flooding occurred, especially in the northern portions of the state. Heavy property and agricultural damage occurred. Streets and basements were reported to have flooded, while bridge approaches and

1092-429: A plaque dated May 22, 1982. The mall itself opened in 1984 with a single-level floorplan designed in a "Mission style", and replete with earth tone interiors, numerous fountains and skylights. Originally, the mall targeted higher-end consumers on Houston's western fringes and surrounding suburban areas, with anchor tenants Foley's, Saks Fifth Avenue , Lord & Taylor , and Mervyn's , along with over 120 inline stores,

1176-714: A rainfall amount of 3.89 inches (99 mm) was reported along with wind gusts up to 60 mph (97 km/h). The remnants of Carla brought tropical storm force winds to some areas of Canada. In Ontario , gusty winds caused power outages in the Clarkson – Port Credit area. Electrical services were are disrupted in New Brunswick , due to winds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) in Saint John . Winds of 57 mph (92 km/h) lashed Halifax in Nova Scotia , thus

1260-560: A renovation that removed several features including a tall clock at the intersection of the Arcade and the Dillard's/JCPenney concourse, an elevated seating area in the food court used as a smoking area, all of the mall's fountains, and the original dark brown tile in the mall's inline corridor. In July 2003, Somera Investment Partners and Coastwood Capital Group purchased the mall from an affiliate of CB Richard Ellis Investors. That same year,

1344-628: A six-screen Plitt Theatres (later Cineplex Odeon ) cinema, and a food court dubbed the "Fiesta Food Court". West Oaks served as a direct competitor to nearby Town & Country Mall and Memorial City Mall in Houston's Memorial area – targeting shoppers in Houston's Energy Corridor and the Greater Katy area, as well as a newer alternative for shoppers in rapidly growing Fort Bend County who otherwise would have gone to Sharpstown Mall or Westwood Mall . In 1985, Macy's announced that it

1428-646: A store in the nearby suburb of Stafford to serve the Sugar Land area that once frequented Sharpstown for retail business. In 1998, JCPenney would close its store at Sharpstown, having lost much of its clientele to its First Colony store, with much of its remaining business going to its Meyerland Plaza store. In addition to the loss of businesses and customers to the Sugar Land area, further compounded by many big box retailers opening new locations in and around said area, such aforementioned big box stores as well as discounters including Walmart and Target have grown on

1512-474: A threat to the mall's success, and consequently Frank Sharp decided to donate a 300 ft (91 m) wide strip of land to build the Southwest Freeway ( Interstate 69 / U.S. Route 59 ) through his development. Because it was Houston's first air conditioned mall—a luxury given Houston's historically unpredictable weather, many Houston residents residing in the central part of the city wanted to experience

1596-646: A tropical depression – a tropical cyclone with sustained winds with winds of less than 39  mph (63  km/h ) – developed about 175 miles (282 km) northwest of Barranquilla , Colombia at 1200 UTC. Initially, the center of circulation remained difficult to locate on surface charts due to lack of data. At San Andrés , winds shifted west at about 12 mph (19 km/h), while barometric pressures dropped to 1,007  mbar (29.7  inHg ). The Weather Bureau Office in Miami, Florida issued its first bulletin at 1600 UTC on September 4, while

1680-555: A tropical disturbance – an area of convective activity – was observed tracking westward across the Caribbean Sea within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Around that time, an anticyclone was situated over the western Caribbean Sea at the upper-tropospheric levels . Surface charts indicate that a low-level circulation was developing early on September 3. Thus, it is estimated that

1764-826: Is a regional shopping mall located in the Alief area of the west side of Houston , Texas, USA, that opened in 1984. With a trade area serving far western parts of Houston including a business clientele in the Energy Corridor and suburban neighborhoods west of George Bush Park in the Greater Katy and Fulshear areas, the mall is located at Texas State Highway 6 and Westheimer Road and can easily be accessed south on Highway 6 via Interstate 10 . The anchors are Dillard's Clearance Center , Crazy Boss, The Outlet at West Oaks, and Fortis College . There are 2 vacant anchors, formerly housing Sears and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill . Pacific Retail Capital Partners owned

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1848-509: The Houston Chronicle said that the mall's decline began in the late 1980s. The mall's decline began as many of the nearby apartment complexes, once dominated by young professionals and single adults, became notorious as residential arrangements for low-income dwellers, which in turn resulted in an increase in criminal activity. This was accelerated by the 1980s oil glut which affected Houston's economy. Sam Wisialowski, president of

1932-533: The 1980s oil glut , demand for upscale retail declined sharply and by the spring of 1990, Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor closed their West Oaks locations, replaced respectively by Sears and JCPenney (both stores of which would fill a large gap in Greater Houston ) as part of a repositioning of the mall as a mainstream middle-class suburban regional mall. Macy's intended space at West Oaks would eventually be filled by Dillard's in 1991, making it

2016-716: The American Red Cross , though the Monthly Weather Review listed a slightly higher number, 465. The storm caused 34 fatalities in Texas. Causes of death include 20 people drowning, eight from tornadoes, four electrocutions, and one heart attack. Overall, damage in the state was "conservatively" estimated at $ 300 million. A breakdown of damage indicates $ 200 million incurred to property and $ 100 million to crops, mostly from unharvested rice and lesser impact to cotton and citrus. In southeastern Louisiana, abnormally high tides lashed

2100-467: The Galveston Seawall . Carla spawned 21 tornadoes, the largest hurricane-related tornado outbreak on record at the time. However, it was overwhelmingly surpassed by Hurricane Beulah in 1967 , which spawned at least 120 tornadoes. Throughout its path, 43 fatalities and about $ 325.74 million in damage were attributed to Carla. Most of the impact occurred in Texas, where

2184-661: The Gulf of Mexico , passing northeast of the Yucatán Peninsula . On the morning of September 11, Carla became a category 4 hurricane when winds reached 130 mph (282 km/h). Carla made landfall at 2 p.m. on September 11 near Port O'Connor, Texas as a category 4 hurricane with a peak intensity of 145 mph (125 knots). Traveling inland, the storm was reduced to a tropical storm on September 12 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on September 13, while centered over southern Oklahoma . Carla's remnants reached

2268-474: The Halifax Public Gardens closed for threat of falling trees and branches. Shortly after the storm, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson , a lifelong resident of Texas, toured the devastation in the state and met with officials from 18  different counties , remarking that "as always, Texans are arising to a challenge... We have suffered hurricane, tornado, and floods, but we in Texas are

2352-679: The Labrador Sea , Canada and dissipated on September 17, 1961. While crossing the Yucatán Channel, the outer bands of Carla brought high winds and local flooding in western Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula. In Texas, wind gusts as high as 170 mph (270 km/h) were observed in Port Lavaca . Tornadoes spawned in the state, including an F4 tornado near Galveston, Texas , resulting in 60 buildings destroyed, eight deaths and 200 injuries. Throughout

2436-458: The "mall of the future", hence the traffic concerns. Another unique aspect of the mall within its corridors was the Clock of Texas diorama , an animated look at the history of Texas through the centuries. Sharp would also place a time capsule in the cornerstone of the mall. When Sharpstown Center opened, it was located on the edge of Houston's southwest suburbs. As the Houston area grew rapidly over

2520-408: The 20th century. The third named storm of the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season , Carla developed from an area of squally weather in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 3. As a tropical depression, it strengthened while heading northwest. The system was upgraded to a tropical storm on September 5 and reached hurricane intensity on September 6. On September 7, Carla entered

2604-549: The CityCentre and LaCenterra lifestyle centers in the Memorial area of Houston and Cinco Ranch, respectively, also further contributed to the mall's decline in prominence. In 2009, the property's value was in steep decline. Pacific Retail Capital Partners bought the mall from LNR Partners Inc. for $ 15 million – $ 87 million less than it did when it was sold four years earlier. In 2011, Regal Entertainment Group agreed to open

PlazAmericas - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-530: The Galleria. The 15-month project concluded in May 1980 when the second floor opened to the public. Also during this time, a third anchor in JCPenney was added as well as a food court in the former Battelstein's department store. The mall was also re-branded as Sharpstown Mall , and would be referred to as such until reverting to the original name in 1993. By February 1989, Sharpstown Mall was 97% occupied, making it

2772-471: The Gulf of Mexico. A strong high-pressure area forced Carla to resume its original northwesterly course. Early on September 8, the storm strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane while located just north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Thus, Carla was the third major hurricane of the season. Carla was upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane early on September 10, while approaching the Gulf Coast of

2856-713: The Sharpstown State Bank—later shuttered in the wake of the Sharpstown scandal which significantly involved Sharpstown developer Frank Sharp and many members of the Texas Legislature. The former bank building would later become home to the Jewelry Exchange Center, with three "motor bank" drive-throughs in the middle of the front parking lot as the only present-day reminder of the former bank. Early on, transportation concerns became

2940-601: The Sharpstown and Westwood malls in Southwest Houston (the latter of which would close over one year later), the new mall drew away many of West Oaks' customers from rapidly growing Fort Bend County, but still continued to draw some shoppers from this area due to the presence of stores that did not have locations at the new mall including Sears and some specialty stores which did not open locations at First Colony Mall. To compete with First Colony, West Oaks underwent

3024-690: The United States. Operationally, at 0000 UTC on September 11, Carla strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane while located in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Six hours later, the storm reached its maximum sustained wind speed of 175 mph (282 km/h). However, a 2018 reanalysis concluded that Carla did not reach Category 5 intensity, and in fact only had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (233 km/h), and this has been officially incorporated into HURDAT . Late on September 11, Carla reached its minimum barometric pressure of 931 mbar (27.5 inHg). Later that day,

3108-554: The Y'alls Texas Store chain, stated that sales were declining annually by about 25 to 30 percent at its Sharpstown store when the chain decided to close said store in 1990. While Sharpstown managed to gain back some shoppers after the addition of the Cineplex Odeon movie theater, Sharpstown would suffer its most significant blow within the decade. In 1996, First Colony Mall opened in the suburb of Sugar Land , which resulted in Sharpstown losing many of its national retailers and

3192-590: The area destroyed six houses and extensive, but lesser, damage. In Hardin , another F3 tornado damaged six homes. Several structures sustained impact during yet another F3 tornado in Fulbright . The final tornado occurred during the late afternoon hours of September 13 in Latex . It caused F2 damage, two injuries, and resulted in $ 2,500 in losses after damaging two houses and three garages. Then little-known newsman Dan Rather reported live from

3276-731: The city of Victoria reached $ 10 million. Of the 21 tornadoes spawned by Carla, eight of them in Texas caused significant impact. On September 11, an F2 tornado near Bay City destroyed two radio towers and damaged several buildings. An F3 tornado injured three people and caused the destruction of one house and impacted three others in Jacksonville , resulting in $ 25,000 in damage. Another F3 tornado in Channelview , located east of Houston , injured 22 people, destroyed 18 homes and six commercial buildings, damaged 40 additional homes, and caused $ 200,000 in damage. In

3360-1043: The coast, though no beach erosion was reported. Rainfall was heavy, peaking at 13.9 inches (350 mm) in Many . Other observed precipitation totals include 5.6 inches (140 mm) in Baton Rouge , 5.57 inches (141 mm) in Morgan City , 4.25 inches (108 mm) in Shreveport , 3.16 inches (80 mm) in New Orleans , 2.25 inches (57 mm) in Lafayette , 2.19 inches (56 mm) in Alexandria , 2.1 inches (53 mm) in Jonesboro and West Monroe , and 1.37 inches (35 mm) in Lake Charles . In

3444-406: The crime rate in the area surrounding the mall increased in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to white flight and urban decay . Consequently, customers even within the surrounding area were deterred, and major retailers who desired a low crime, middle class , and wealthy area for profitable support began to leave. Oshman's Sporting Goods closed its store in 1997, around the same time it opened

PlazAmericas - Misplaced Pages Continue

3528-410: The depression was centered about 250 miles (400 km) east-southeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios , Nicaragua . It is estimated that sustained winds reached 45 mph (72 km/h) at 1200 UTC on September 5, thus the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Carla , while located just northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios. A reconnaissance aircraft flight reported that Carla

3612-474: The early morning hours of September 12, a violent F4 tornado moved across Galveston Island along a 1-mile long, 100-yard-wide path (it crossed into Galveston Bay as well), severely damaging 200 buildings, of which 60-75 were destroyed, and causing eight deaths and 200 injuries. This was the first of only two known violent tornadoes ever spawned by a hurricane with the other one happening during Hurricane Hilda in 1964 . A few hours later, an F3 tornado in

3696-412: The fate of Westwood Mall, which closed in 1998 and converted to a technology-focused office center, and eventually would impact West Oaks Mall as well. Finally, Sharpstown also had to compete with a redeveloped Meyerland Plaza , whose remodeled JCPenney location would serve as an anchor for the reborn shopping center. The aforementioned crime issues also continued to take their toll on Sharpstown Center, as

3780-428: The first Alamo Drafthouse in Houston opened in the mall after Alamo Drafthouse's Austin-based owners granted the franchise location in the former Cineplex Odeon cinema. In 2004, the mall was renovated at a cost of ~$ 9.3 million in a "Texas ranch style" to compete with recent renovations at the Galleria and Memorial City Mall, as well as the impending expansion of First Colony Mall (which completed in 2006).The interior

3864-517: The first day of business brought only 8,000 shoppers (a number that was affected by the hurricane). At the time of its opening, the mall consisted of 43 stores on one level including the first suburban branch of the Houston-based Foley's department store chain, as well as the first suburban locations of Houston Trunk Factory, Battelstein's and Florsheim Shoes. In addition to Foley's, Montgomery Ward also opened as an anchor, along with

3948-505: The first such store in Houston to be built as a Dillard's (the rest having been converted from the former Joske's in 1988). By the early 1990s, West Oaks emerged as one of Houston's top performing regional malls, in large part due to the decline of Town & Country and rapid suburban growth in the aforementioned areas. The mall would receive its first serious challenge in 1996 when First Colony Mall opened in nearby Sugar Land . Though First Colony's opening had done more economic damage to

4032-624: The former JCPenney anchor space (which closed in 2005) and Dillard's converting its store to a clearance center only utilizing the first floor in 2010. Palais Royal opened one of the anchor slots in November of 2011 and closed it along with the rest of the chain on September 5, 2020. On January 4, 2017, Macy's announced it would close its West Oaks Mall store after 35 years. The store closed on March 27, 2017. On January 4, 2018, Sears announced it would close its West Oaks Mall store after 28 years. The off-site Auto Center closed in late-January 2018 and

4116-460: The last remaining original anchor from the mall's 1961 opening. After the conclusion of its liquidation sale on March 15, 2008, employees were moved to other Macy's stores. Mere days after the Macy's announcement, on January 9, 2008, Finger Furniture announced that it would also be closing its Sharpstown location. By January 11, 2008, Sharpstown was operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and

4200-487: The location of Carla's landfall, was virtually destroyed. In Columbus , the "Ranch Drive-In" theater is destroyed by the storm and was never reopened after 6 years of operation. In Victoria , the highest sustained wind speed was 110 mph (180 km/h), while gusts reached 150 mph (240 km/h). About 4,260 homes were damaged, with around 500 severely damaged or destroyed. 43 businesses and 26 public buildings were also significantly impacted. Damage in

4284-420: The loyalties of customers who used to frequent shopping malls. Online shopping began and started to take away from mall shoppers as well. Shopping center developer Ed Wulfe, whose Wulfe & Co. redeveloped Meyerland Plaza as well as Gulfgate Mall , said that the loss of the major tenants negatively affected Sharpstown Center. As 2000 dawned, a New York investment group named Sharpstown Center Associates owned

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4368-475: The mall as a joint venture with Square Mile Capital Management, and was managed by PRCP Management. In 2017, it was sold to Mehta Investments, Ltd. West Oaks Mall has its roots in the opening of a branch of Houston-based department store chain Foley's in 1982 – two years before the mall opened. In the foyer of the north entrance to the store, on both walls, there are handprints of children on terra-cotta tiles with

4452-564: The mall with the highest percentage of occupied space in the Houston area. In 1993, the mall underwent a $ 50 million renovation, with the largest addition being a new ten-screen Cineplex Odeon movie theater. The renovations effectively deterred Foley's from leaving for nearby Westwood Mall, which prior to the renovation was courting the department store as a third anchor following its own renovation in 1988. During this time, Sharpstown Mall also had to compete with West Oaks Mall for customers out of Fort Bend County. Ralph Bivins and Greg Hassell of

4536-482: The mall's 1961 opening. Burlington Coat Factory would move from an adjacent shopping center to fill the former Montgomery Ward space. In 2006 the Houston Press alternative weekly newspaper awarded Sharpstown Center "Best Hip-hop Mall," and Sharpstown began to bill itself as "Houston's Premiere Urban Mall" on its website. By May 2007, Sharpstown was nearly 75% occupied, mostly local tenants which now dominated

4620-464: The mall's retail base. Further cementing its status amongst its newfound "urban" clientele, on October 20, 2007, local hip hop radio station KPTY , owned by Univision (whose studio complex is located near the Galleria), opened a broadcast studio called Studio 104.9 where the station broadcast on a regular basis. On December 28, 2007, Macy's announced that it would close its location in Sharpstown,

4704-435: The mall. By 2001, the mall was seized in a foreclosure, and Travelers Insurance took ownership of the mall, whose JCPenney anchor space remained vacant when it was announced that Montgomery Ward would close all its locations, including the Sharpstown store, as part of its liquidation process. The loss of Montgomery Ward would leave Foley's as the mall's only remaining anchor tenant, if not the only remaining original tenant from

4788-457: The next three decades, with Houston itself becoming the nation's fourth-largest city, numerous other developments throughout southwest Houston began to emerge. These developments included countless new apartment complexes home to young professionals in Houston's energy industry, residential developments as far south as Missouri City , the construction of Houston Baptist University , Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital , numerous car dealerships, and

4872-537: The outer bands of Carla. In Kansas, 4 to 7 inches (100 to 180 mm) of rain in only 6 hours caused flash flooding. With a peak amount of 8.52 inches (216 mm) in Haddam , Carla was the rainiest tropical cyclone in Kansas, until being surpassed by Hurricane Paine in 1986 as well as Tropical Storm Frances in 1998 . Severe crop damage occurred, especially in areas of Chautauqua and Shawnee Counties and to

4956-1124: The rainfall, flooding in Michigan was relatively minimal, limited to a washed out dam in Traverse City . Precipitation in Wisconsin reached 7.58 inches (193 mm) in Brodhead , causing Carla to rank as the wettest tropical cyclone in the state. Precipitation peaks in other states include 4.44 inches (113 mm) in Alabama , 5.48 inches (139 mm) in Arkansas , 6.37 inches (162 mm) in Mississippi , and 3.6 inches (91 mm) in Indiana . In Cuba, broadcasts reported severe flooding near Pinar del Río , and in Los Colomas and Punta de Cartas. Offshore Honduras on Swan Island,

5040-677: The rainiest tropical cyclone in the state. Heavy precipitation also fell in Missouri , especially in Brookfield , Lee's Summit , and Pleasant Hill . The maximum rainfall total in Missouri was 9.34 inches (237 mm) in Concordia . One fatality was reported in Missouri, though the cause of death is unknown. Rainfall in Iowa peaked at 9.03 inches (229 mm) near Chariton , making Carla

5124-629: The rainiest tropical cyclone in the state. Up to 8 inches (200 mm) of rain fell in a 12-hour period in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan , mostly between Cheboygan and Grand Rapids . However, the Weather Prediction Center indicated precipitation amounts of 6.07 inches (154 mm) in Boyne Falls . Regardless, Carla is the 2nd wettest tropical cyclone in the history of Michigan, behind Beryl in 2024. Despite,

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5208-494: The remnants dissipated over the Labrador Sea on September 17. Occurring a year after Hurricane Donna , officials in the Florida Keys took precautions to brace for potential impact from the storm. The United States Navy flew their planes out of Key West , while Coast Guardsmen evacuated Alligator Reef Light , American Shoal Light , and Sombrero Key Light . Ships docked at Key West sailed out to sea to ride out

5292-684: The south of the Kansas River . Many highways were left impassable due to water inundation. A family of 4 drowned after their car was swept off a road near Waverly . A fifth fatality occurred after a car with one occupant was swept into a tributary of the Marmaton River near Fort Scott . The storm persistently produced winds of 35 to 50 mph (56 to 80 km/h), causing further agricultural damage. In Nebraska , rainfall peaked at 5.68 inches (144 mm) in Hubbrell, making Carla

5376-474: The southwest. Based on observations obtained by a reconnaissance aircraft at 1100 UTC on September 6 – namely a barometric pressure of 982 mbar (29.0 inHg) – a bulletin issued by the Weather Bureau an hour later indicated that the storm had "probably reached hurricane intensity". According to post-season analysis, Carla reached hurricane status at that time. Shortly after becoming

5460-468: The squalls. On the morning of September 7, a hurricane watch was issued from the entire coast of Louisiana eastward to Apalachicola, Florida . On September 8, a hurricane watch was issued along the southwest coast of the state from Vermilion Bay westward. It was later extended westward to include the entire coast of Texas, and eastward to Apalachicola, Florida. A portion of the hurricane watch from Aransas Pass, Texas to Grand Isle, Louisiana

5544-558: The state peaked at 7.68 inches (195 mm) in Kingfisher . More than 140 city blocks were flooded with up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in residential areas of Kingfisher and up to 3 feet (0.91 m) in business areas. 225 homes and buildings in the city suffered water damage. Throughout the state, damage in other areas included 90 homes and buildings in Tulsa , 50 homes each in El Reno and Oklahoma City , and 10 homes in Pawnee . Additionally, water inundation washed out several bridges and highways in northeastern parts of

5628-531: The state, Carla destroyed 1,915 homes, 568 farm buildings, and 415 other buildings. Additionally, 50,723 homes, 5,620 farm buildings, and 10,487 other buildings suffered damage. There were 34 fatalities and at least $ 300 million in losses in Texas. Several tornadoes also touched down in Louisiana , causing the destruction of 140 homes and 11 farms and other buildings, and major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Minor to moderate damage

5712-502: The state, leaving roads impassable. Sustained winds between 30 and 55 mph (48 and 89 km/h) and gusts up to 70 mph (110 km/h) were recorded in Oklahoma. Winds injured two people due to airborne debris. Winds and rain combined severely disrupted electrical and telephone services and caused $ 670,000 in damage, with $ 600,000 to property and $ 70,000 to crops. The storm dropped precipitation amounts of 7 inches (180 mm) throughout northwestern Illinois , with

5796-402: The store closed in early-April 2018. In May–June 2018, The Outlet moved in to fill the former Macy's location. The Palais Royale location closed in 2019. The West Oaks Bed Bath and Beyond closed in 2020. In September of 2022, Regal closed at the mall due to Cineworld 's bankruptcy. By June of 2023, only Dillards, The Outlet, Fortis College, Crazy Boss and two inline tenants remained open with

5880-511: The storm curved just east of due north. After reaching Oklahoma early on September 13, Carla transitioned into an extratropical cyclone while located over rural Johnston County . The extratropical remnants of Carla moved rapidly northeastward and brought heavy rainfall to some areas of the Great Plains and Midwestern United States . By September 14, it entered Canada near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario . It then continued swiftly northeastward across Ontario , Quebec , and Labrador , before

5964-600: The storm made landfall as a large and strong Category 4 hurricane. Abnormally high tides and storm surge was reported along the coast of Texas, reaching at least 10 feet (3.0 m) above mean sea level at many coastal areas between Sabine Pass and Port Aransas . The highest tide reported was 18.5 feet (5.6 m) at Port Lavaca, with large wave heights including 12.6 feet (3.8 m) in Matagorda , 10.9 feet (3.3 m) in Port Aransas, 10.8 feet (3.3 m) in Freeport , 10.1 feet (3.1 m) in Texas City , and 10 feet (3.0 m) in Galveston and Sabine . Because

6048-475: The storm struck Matagorda Island , Texas (seven miles south of Port O'Connor ) with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h). Carla rapidly weakened inland, and degenerated to a Category 2 hurricane on September 12, while passing just east of Port Lavaca. Six hours later, the storm was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane near Shiner , shortly before being downgraded to a tropical storm between Taylor and Coupland . Beginning late on September 12,

6132-1951: The storm was a Category 4 hurricane at landfall, Carla produced strong winds, especially near its path. The strongest sustained winds include 115 mph (185 km/h) in Matagorda, 110 mph (180 km/h) in Victoria, and 88 mph (142 km/h). Additionally, the highest wind gust observations include 175 mph (282 km/h) in Port Lavaca, 160 mph (260 km/h) in Matagorda, and 150 mph (240 km/h) in Aransas Pass, Austwell , Edna , Port Aransas, and Victoria. Carla produced heavy rainfall in Texas, peaking at 17.48 inches (444 mm) in Bay City . Other significant precipitation totals include 16.49 inches (419 mm) at Scholes International Airport at Galveston , 14.94 inches (379 mm) in Downtown Galveston, 13.05 inches (331 mm) in Wharton , 12.55 inches (319 mm) in Liberty , 12.47 inches (317 mm) in Dickinson , 11.81 inches (300 mm) in Flatonia, 10.59 inches (269 mm) in Columbus , 8.75 inches (222 mm) in Hallettsville , and 8.9 inches (230 mm) in Smithville . The most significant property damage occurred between Port Arthur and Corpus Christi . Port O'Connor, lying nearest to

6216-732: The tornadoes. Damage in Louisiana totaled to about $ 25 million. A breakdown of losses include $ 6 million to agriculture, $ 5 million to buildings, $ 4 million to boats and beach property, $ 3 million to roads and bridges, $ 5 million to oil platforms just offshore, and $ 2 million in miscellaneous damage. Carla and its remnants brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to portions of Oklahoma. About 2–8 inches (51–203 mm) of rain fell in Grant , Tillman , Washita Counties . Heavier amounts of at least 5 inches (130 mm) fell in Atoka and Pushmataha County . Precipitation in

6300-552: The weather bureau building in Galveston during the storm, live on-site storm coverage that would be imitated by later reporters. This marked the first live television broadcast of a hurricane. Rather also alerted the public of the size of Carla in a way that "literally changed the way the world sees hurricanes", according to a fellow reporter. Broadcasting live at the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston, Rather asked

6384-663: The western portions of Louisiana, sustained winds peaked at 44 mph (71 km/h) and gusts reached 55 mph (89 km/h). Only minor damage occurred, limited to roofs, glass, and downed tree limbs. Winds caused a local river to reach 1 foot (0.30 m) above flood stage . The 11 tornadoes spawned by Carla in Louisiana destroyed 140 homes and 11 farm and other buildings, while causing major damage to 231 additional homes and 11 farm and other buildings. Additionally, 748 homes and 75 farm and other buildings suffered minor to moderate damage. Six fatalities and 199 injuries occurred, mostly related to

6468-494: Was a more direct competitor to Sharpstown with anchor stores Joske's and Sears , which complemented Sharpstown's aforementioned anchors, and a closer location to rapidly growing Fort Bend County , home to a growing base of upper-middle class suburban shoppers. Beginning in 1979, construction of a second floor began (effectively doubling the mall's store count to over 200) and the mall was extensively renovated from its original 1950s appearance to better compete with Westwood Mall and

6552-409: Was also reported to 748 homes and 75 farms and other buildings. Six deaths and $ 25 million in losses in Louisiana were attributed to Carla. Heavy rainfall occurred in several other states, especially in Kansas, where flash flooding severely damaged crops and drowned five people. Overall, Carla resulted in $ 325.74 million in losses and 43 fatalities. As early as September 1,

6636-500: Was also sent to the area. Members of the United States National Guard assisted refugees in returning to their homes and worked to prevent looting. Owing to the hurricane's intensity and destruction, the name Carla was retired after his season, and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane. The name was replaced with Carol for the 1965 season . West Oaks Mall (Houston) West Oaks Mall

6720-408: Was building a fifth Houston store at West Oaks Mall, which would have been located on the mall's last remaining anchor pad directly opposite Lord & Taylor and would have opened in late 1987, a year after the flagship Houston Galleria store (now dubbed "Macy's at Sage" after the 2006 merger) opened. The proposed Macy's ultimately never materialized. As Houston's economy suffered in the aftermath of

6804-420: Was continuing to intensify, with surface winds of 50 mph (80 km/h). Radars reported an unusually large tropical cyclone, with convective bands extending about 520 miles (840 km) outward from the center. Around 0000 UTC on September 6, Carla passed near Swan Island , which reported a barometric pressure of about 995 mbar (29.4 inHg) and wind gusts of 60 mph (97 km/h) from

6888-589: Was extensively renovated, including the filling of the sunken part of the Park Court with concrete and the addition of a fireplace to the food court, and replacement of the tile from the 1996 renovation with marble, and the mall would be sold again in 2005 to Investment Properties of America, which bought the mall from the Somera/Coastwood partnership. By this time, West Oaks faced increasingly stiff competition from Katy Mills which opened in 1999 with

6972-443: Was up for sale. The then owner of the mall, Urban Mall Houston, was over $ 53 million in debt. In 2009, with the mall under the ownership of Philadelphia -based RAIT Financial Trust , the manager of the mall's interior core, Boxer Property, announced that the mall would be renamed "PlazAmericas." Chris Chumley, a spokesperson for PlazAmericas, stated that "Anybody who knows the back story to the mall knows that it's been distressed for

7056-518: Was upgraded to a hurricane warning at 1600 UTC on September 9. An estimated 500,000 people fled the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, making it the largest evacuation in the history of the United States, at the time. Further, at least half of those people were from Texas. In small towns along the coast of Texas, 90–100% of their populations evacuated, while 20% of people left the larger cities. Many in Galveston stayed due to protection from

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