![]() In Harvey's wake, a mammoth recovery and rebuilding effort commenced across Houston and the Gulf Coast region. This outpouring of community support offered hope amid the chaos. Houstonians generously donated food, clothing, baby supplies and pet food to help their fellow residents recover. Courts, stadiums, and churches opened their doors to victims who lost everything. With safe refuge in short supply across the inundated city, the convention center provided critical shelter despite initial shortfalls. Brown Convention Center sheltered over 11,000 evacuees at the height of flooding. Groups on social media like the Texas Navy helped coordinate informal civilian rescue operations. Some used their bass fishing boats while others launched kayaks, canoes or jet skis. The civilian flotilla evacuated people from flooded homes, apartment complexes and nursing homes. This “Cajun Navy” improvised their own search and rescue efforts, showcasing the community coming together. Citizen Rescuers Ordinary Houstonians also took to their own boats to save neighbors in danger. Using helicopters and shallow draft boats, they braved harsh conditions to pull victims from rooftops and second floors. The Coast Guard in Houston rescued over 11,000 people and 1,400 pets while coordinating with state and local agencies. Coast Guard units from as far as North Carolina, New York and California assisted in relief efforts. Coast Guard led aerial rescues across the inundated region. Houston first responders answered over 56,000 emergency calls and conducted more than 37,000 rescues during Harvey. Rescue Efforts During the Storm A Photo by James PaulĪs flooding overwhelmed the city, first responders mobilized a tremendous rescue effort alongside good Samaritans to evacuate stranded residents. The worst flooding occurred in neighborhoods without adequate storm drainage and flood mitigation. In total, over 154,000 homes flooded across Harris County during Harvey according to the Kinder Institute. First responders used boats and helicopters to rescue residents trapped in their homes. Low-lying areas such as Meyerland and Kashmere Gardens turned into lakes, with water submerging entire first floors. Smaller tributaries also raged out of their banks as the flood control system became overwhelmed. Brays Bayou crested over its banks at 59 feet, topping the previous record by over 5 feet. Houston's two main bayous, Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou, swelled to record levels. This extreme precipitation led to unprecedented flooding across the region. The National Weather Service reported a record 34 inches of rainfall at Houston's Hobby Airport over 24 hours - more than double its previous record. Between August 25-29, Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport recorded 49.32 inches of rain, topping the city's previous record of 43 inches. Harvey dumped over 60 inches of rain across southeast Texas, shattering numerous rainfall records: The highest observed rainfall total was 60.58 inches in Nederland, Texas. While high winds initially damaged coastal areas, Harvey's biggest impact stemmed from torrential rainfall that overwhelmed Houston's bayous and drainage systems. Record Rainfall and Catastrophic Flooding Photo by Caisor Joe ![]()
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