Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey began as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa, eventually developing into a tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea. It rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. Harvey made its first landfall on San Jose Island, Texas, on August 25, 2017, causing significant damage.

Hurricane Harvey made its first landfall as a Category 4 storm near Rockport, Texas. With winds of 130 mph, it caused catastrophic damage to structures and power outages in the region. This made Harvey the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

As Harvey moved inland, it stalled and produced record-breaking rainfall across the Greater Houston area. Massive flooding affected thousands of homes and businesses, prompting evacuation orders for many residents. Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain, making it one of the wettest hurricanes in U.S. history.

Rescue teams from across the country, including the Coast Guard and National Guard, conducted extensive operations to save thousands of residents stranded by rising floodwaters in Texas. Houston's emergency services were overwhelmed, and many civilians used their boats to help in the rescue efforts.

Hurricane Harvey made its second landfall as a tropical storm near Cameron, Louisiana, bringing more rainfall and flooding to the region. While the impact was less severe than in Texas, the additional rainfall compounded flood issues and prompted further evacuation orders.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated that Harvey affected hundreds of thousands of residents and caused billions of dollars in damage. President Trump signed a disaster relief bill, providing significant federal aid to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas.

As floodwaters receded, recovery and clean-up efforts began across Texas and Louisiana. Thousands of volunteers, including local residents and organizations, joined the efforts to clear debris and assist displaced families. The scale of the destruction became more apparent as damages were assessed.

An economic impact study released in September 2017 found that Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. The storm significantly affected the energy sector, with several oil and gas refineries temporarily shut down.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott unveiled a comprehensive plan to rebuild the regions affected by Hurricane Harvey. The plan focused on infrastructure improvements, housing solutions, and economic revitalization. It emphasized collaboration between state and federal agencies and sought input from local communities.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Harvey, recovery efforts continued in Texas and Louisiana. Many communities were still rebuilding, and some residents remained displaced. State and federal agencies, along with non-profit organizations, worked on long-term recovery and support services for affected families.