Today Harvey is like a tropical depression in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico after regenerating. The main threat is that it could hit the United States as a hurricane. Currently moving in northwest direction at a speed of 15km / hIt is located 800 km southeast of Port O'Connor, Texas.
Part of the Mexican coast and the State of Texas are under surveillance due to the strong storm, the other The northernmost part of Texas is now under a hurricane watch.Based on its track patterns, Harvey is expected to move toward the Texas coast Friday afternoon. Rainfall from Harvey could result in flooding and be dangerous for people, experts said.
Harvey's future trajectory
According to the estimates that can be made, observable in the image, Heavy rains are expected in areas that are usually dryIn addition, Harvey will cause large waves and surges affecting the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, and northeastern Mexico. It should be noted that Harvey's origin lies in the remnants of the tropical storm that formed last week in the Caribbean.
This ninth hurricane season in the Caribbean began in April, with Tropical Storm Arlene, which occurred a month earlier than usualThis has been followed by other cyclones, such as Bret, Cindy, a storm that was not nicknamed, Don, Emily and Franklin, which we were also talking about.
The hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, has seen eight storms, eight depressions, and two hurricanes, three of which have made landfall. This update is being updated. Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in 2017, left a significant impact on Houston and its surrounding areas., having flooded more than 150,000 homes and causing an estimated damage of more than $125,000 billion. You can also learn more about the consequences of Hurricane Harvey and how other storms have affected the region. To understand the magnitude of these cyclones, it is useful to review the most destructive hurricanes of the last years.
Harvey's Impact on Houston
Many Houston residents are still suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which left 103 storm-related deaths and disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of people. It is estimated that 75% of flooded homes were located outside FEMA-designated flood zones, which surprised many homeowners who had been advised they didn't need flood insurance. This has led many of them to continue waiting for assistance, even years after the storm. FEMA assistance has been critical, but it hasn't been enough for everyone.
On August 26, 2017, a four-day onslaught of 130-mile-per-hour winds and torrential rains began, culminating in 30 inches of water flooding key areas of Houston. As a result of the devastation, organizations like SBP have worked tirelessly to help rebuild the severely impacted city, an effort comparable to that undertaken after the Hurricane Katrina and that is similar to the impact it has caused Hurricane Dorian in other regions.
SBP's role in Houston's recovery
SBP, which has been active since Hurricane Katrina, has intervened in Houston to help return people to safe and secure homes. Since 2017, SBP has developed programs that have helped rebuild homes for storm survivors. Some of its most notable actions include:
- Reconstruction of 426 homes for survivors of Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda in hard-hit low-income communities.
- Granting of more than 6.2 million to 16 rebuilding partners across Texas through the SHARE program, which supports local NGOs with funding and resources.
- Payment Solution Connective, a case management tool that helps nonprofit organizations coordinate recovery efforts.
- Realization of 294 emergency plumbing repairs for families affected by Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
- Preparedness campaigns to protect thousands of Houstonians from future extreme weather events.
Lessons learned and improvements in preparation
Three years after Hurricane Harvey, affected communities have learned significant lessons. A recent study revealed that many communities in Texas are now better prepared for extreme weather events, thanks to investments in infrastructure and emergency plans. It is estimated that Texans have received $14.5 billion in federal funds to date., including grants and loans, to help repair and replace their homes and belongings.
However, despite the progress, many still face challenges in their recovery. The importance of flood insurance has become even more evident. Approximately 92,000 Texans received flood insurance payments totaling an estimated $9 billion., but many who were uninsured were forced to rebuild their lives with their personal savings and federal assistance. To better understand the frequency of these events, it is helpful to review information about the 2017 hurricane season and the lessons we can learn from it.
Why did Hurricane Harvey stall in Texas?
Harvey's path was unusual and was due to several meteorological factors. Upon making landfall, Harvey interacted with a high-pressure system. This stalling near the coast was a key factor in the devastation it caused, as instead of moving quickly, the hurricane continued to dump heavy rains on the same area for days. This erratic behavior of the storm was extraordinary and contributed to its devastating impact.
Recent research has suggested that climate change could also be influencing the intensity of events like Hurricane Harvey. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico were about 1.5 degrees warmer than in previous decades, translating to a greater potential for stronger storms. These extreme events are what we expect to see more frequently in a warming climate. For more on this, an article in Meteorology highlights how Extreme weather is linked to global warming and how it affects local preparedness.
Preparing for future hurricanes
With hurricane season approaching, it is essential that Texans prepare properly. This includes secure your properties with adequate insurance, create evacuation plans, and stay informed about weather alerts. The lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey are vital to helping communities face the future with greater resilience and responsiveness.
As the years pass, the impact of Hurricane Harvey remains relevant. Recovery organizations continue to work to help those still struggling to recover. It's important to remember the lessons learned from this tragedy and how solidarity among communities can make a difference. The images and testimonies of those survivors serve as a reminder of the importance of being prepared and responding quickly to natural disasters.
