On August 25, 2017, at approximately 10:00 PM CDT, Hurricane Harvey roared ashore near Port Aransas, Texas, as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 130 mph . This was the first major hurricane to strike Texas since Bret in 1999, and it brought catastrophic wind damage to coastal towns such as Rockport and Port Aransas before stalling inland . Harvey’s slow movement set the stage for an unprecedented flood disaster across Southeast Texas.
In the days following landfall, Harvey’s rainbands repeatedly swept across the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties, producing prolonged, torrential rainfall . From August 26 to August 29, some locations received over 60 inches of rain, making Harvey the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States . Rivers and bayous swelled far beyond their banks, with approximately 46% of river forecast points reaching new record flood stages, leading to massive evacuations and tens of thousands of rescues .
Recovery was long and difficult, but it showcased the resilience and unity of Texans. Communities came together to clear debris, provide shelter, and rebuild homes. Volunteers from across the country joined local residents in relief efforts, while government agencies and nonprofits worked to restore basic services . Even years later, Harvey remains a defining moment in Texas history, both for the scale of its destruction and the strength of the response it inspired.
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