The 1915 hurricane was the first major hurricane in the Galveston area since the construction of the Galveston Seawall following the 1900 Galveston hurricane, providing the first substantial test of the artificial barrier. Initial reports in "The Houston Post" drew comparisons between the strengths and paths of the 1915 hurricane and the 1900 hurricane. The Associated Press reported that storm refugees initially believed "Galveston's property loss be greater than it was in 1900". Galveston mayor Lewis Fisher also tentatively estimated that the total property damage from the 1915 hurricane would be costlier. Although the 1915 hurricane lasted longer than the 1900 hurricane and was of comparable intensity, the seawall and timely warnings prevented a disaster of a similar scale. In their last received report before landfall, the "Galveston News" asserted that "the sea wall built to protect the city has stood the test". Located at the core of the hurricane's impacts, Galveston incurred roughly $6 million in damage and reported 11 fatalities.