Hurricane Carla formed in early September 1961 and quickly intensified as it moved toward the Texas coast. Initially classified as a tropical storm, it escalated to a Category 4 hurricane shortly before landfall. Carla made its initial impact near Port O'Connor, Texas, on September 11, bringing catastrophic winds and storm surges that inundated low-lying areas. The hurricane's eye passed over Texas, and the storm would impact regions from Corpus Christi to Louisiana.

Carla was remarkable not only for its strength but also for the extensive preparations that preceded it. Evacuations were ordered for coastal areas, and thousands of residents heeded the warnings and left their homes. Despite these efforts, Carla's storm surge and high winds led to substantial destruction. In total, nearly 500,000 people were affected, with thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. The casualty count was relatively low, with about 46 recorded deaths, which authorities attributed to the successful evacuation efforts.

In the aftermath, recovery efforts began immediately as local and state agencies worked to restore power, remove debris, and provide aid to those affected. The storm significantly influenced hurricane preparedness protocols and prompted discussions about building regulations in hurricane-prone areas. Carla’s impact was felt for years, leading to improved forecasting models and response strategies for future storms.