176-480: Effects • Texas Hurricane Harvey was a devastating tropical cyclone that made landfall on Texas and Louisiana in August ;2017, causing catastrophic flooding and more than 100 deaths. It is tied with 2005 's Hurricane Katrina as the costliest tropical cyclone on record, inflicting $ 125 billion (2017 USD) in damage, primarily from catastrophic rainfall-triggered flooding in
352-449: A Category 4 hurricane later that day with peak 1-minute sustained winds of 130 mph. Hours later, Harvey made landfall at San José Island, Texas , at peak intensity, followed by another landfall at Holiday Beach at Category 3 intensity. Rapid weakening then ensued, and Harvey had downgraded to a tropical storm as it stalled near the coastline, dropping torrential and unprecedented amounts of rainfall over Texas. On August 28,
528-505: A 90% confidence interval of $ 90–160 billion. The scope of flooding in areas with low National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participation lends to the large uncertainty in the damage total. This ranks Harvey as the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the country alongside Hurricane Katrina in 2005. However, accounting for inflation and cost increases since 2005, the National Hurricane Center considers Harvey
704-511: A Category 4 hurricane. Around 03:00 UTC on August 26, the hurricane made landfall at peak intensity on San Jose Island , just east of Rockport , with winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) and an atmospheric pressure of 937 mbar (27.7 inHg ), becoming the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005 . Weakening began as the eye of Harvey moved further inland, and Harvey made
880-496: A Category 4 hurricane. Around 03:00 UTC on August 26, the hurricane made landfall at peak intensity on San Jose Island , just east of Rockport , with winds of 130 mph (210 km/h) and an atmospheric pressure of 937 mbar (27.7 inHg ). It made a second landfall on the Texas mainland, at Rockport, three hours later in a slightly weakened state. Harvey became the first major hurricane to make landfall in
1056-506: A Dios , Olancho , and Yoro departments . About 8 inches (200 mm) of precipitation was expected along the coast, while inland areas were forecast to receive 2.76 to 3.15 in (70 to 80 mm) of rain. As the remnants of Harvey approached Mexico, the Civil Protection Secretary of the state of Campeche issued a blue alert, indicating minimal danger. When Harvey redeveloped at 15:00 UTC on August 23,
1232-516: A city of 2.3 million people, average rainfall amounts were around 2 feet (0.61 m). Harvey's center eventually drifted back towards the southeast and ultimately reemerged into the Gulf on August 28. Deep convection persisted north of the cyclone's center near the Houston metropolitan area along a stationary front , resulting in several days of record-breaking rain. Early on August 30,
1408-507: A combined $ 1 million into the hurricane relief fund, while also opening BBVA Compass Stadium to accept donated supplies for processing and distribution. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner imposed a mandatory curfew on August 29 from midnight to 5 a.m. local time until further notice. He cited looting as the primary reason for the curfew. On August 29, U. S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump , and U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz toured damage in
1584-515: A combined $ 1 million into the hurricane relief fund, while also opening BBVA Compass Stadium to accept donated supplies for processing and distribution. Athletic events were rescheduled as far away as Kentucky , where the storm's remnants were expected to cause heavy rains on September 1, interfering with Friday night high school football . More than 50 high schools in the state moved games that had been scheduled for Friday to either Thursday or Saturday. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner imposed
1760-464: A cyclonic storm moves into the basin from the Western Pacific, then it will keep its original name. However, if the system weakens into a deep depression and subsequently reintensifies after moving into the region, then it will be assigned a new name. In May 2020, the naming of Cyclone Amphan exhausted the original list of names established in 2004. A new list of names has been prepared and
1936-409: A day. On August 27, 2017, KSL-TV , KSL Newsradio , FM100.3 , and 103.5 The Arrow created a fundraiser to help Texas residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Because of an anonymous donor willing to match $ 2 for every $ 1 raised up to a total of $ 100,000, Peter Huntsman also agreed to match donations up to $ 100,000. The combined total of $ 200,000 was met by August 31, 2017. Their new goal
SECTION 10
#17327823225172112-665: A fuel depot in Speightstown was flooded. Winds from Harvey ripped the roof off a church. In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , nine homes were flooded and four others experienced wind damage. Also, a tree fell on a school, damaging the building. Blocked drains in Port Elizabeth resulted in more than 15 businesses being flooded. A total of 15 people were housed in shelters after the storm. Strong winds and heavy rainfall also affected Suriname and Guyana . In
2288-447: A house fire in the city, unable to be rescued due to the extreme weather conditions. Just north of Rockport, many structures were also severely damaged in the nearby town of Fulton . In the small community of Holiday Beach , catastrophic damage occurred as almost every home in town was severely damaged or destroyed by storm surge and violent winds. By the afternoon of August 26, more than 20 in (510 mm) of rain had fallen in
2464-502: A large number of Superfund -designed brownfield sites that contain a wide variety of toxins and carcinogens. Two Superfund sites in Corpus Christi were flooded. In the months after the hurricane struck, some hospitals in Texas saw a spike in birth rates, with a 17% increase in birth rates being reported at Corpus Christi Medical Center. Similarly, a large baby boom also occurred after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 . Houston
2640-402: A large public shelter accordingly. More than 210,000 people registered with FEMA for disaster assistance. The Cajun Navy , an informal organization of volunteers with boats from Louisiana, deployed to Texas to assist in high-water rescues. The Houston Independent School District announced that all students on any of the district's campuses would be eligible for free lunch throughout
2816-477: A male or a female name. The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next meeting of the Hurricane Committee. If all of the names on the annual name list are used, any additional tropical or subtropical storms will receive a name from a supplemental list. When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm to the north of
2992-508: A mandatory curfew on August 29 from midnight to 5 a.m. local time until further notice. He cited looting as the primary reason for the curfew. On August 29, President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump , and U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz toured damage in the Corpus Christi metropolitan area . President Trump made a formal request for $ 5.95 billion in federal funding on August 31 for affected areas,
3168-480: A recent tropical cyclone or on another list of names, and the length of the name for modern communication channels such as social media. PAGASA also retires the names of significant tropical cyclones when they have caused at least ₱ 1 billion ( US$ 20.3 million) in damage or have caused at least 300 deaths. Within the North Atlantic Basin, tropical or subtropical storms are named by
3344-496: A significant amount of gale -force winds occurring around the center before they are named. Any member of the World Meteorological Organization 's hurricane, typhoon and tropical cyclone committees can request that the name of a tropical cyclone be retired or withdrawn from the various tropical cyclone naming lists. A name is retired or withdrawn if a consensus or majority of members agree that
3520-548: A significant portion of the system's center. Systems are named in conjunction with Météo-France Reunion by either Météo Madagascar or the Mauritius Meteorological Service. If a disturbance reaches the naming stage between Africa and 55°E, then Météo Madagascar names it; if it reaches the naming stage between 55°E and 90°E, then the Mauritius Meteorological Service names it. The names are taken from three pre-determined lists of names, which rotate on
3696-597: A slightly weaker high-end Category 3 storm. After that, Harvey rapidly weakened and stalled for multiple days over Texas, dropping torrential rainfall. Harvey eventually moved back into the Gulf on August 28, and a day later, Harvey made a fifth and final landfall west of Cameron, Louisiana . The large and powerful hurricane dropped heavy rainfall over parts of southern and southeastern Texas. Over four days, Harvey dropped large amounts of rainfall, peaking at 60.58 inches (1,539 mm) in Nederland, Texas , making it
SECTION 20
#17327823225173872-467: A split of U.S. $ 5. Two ExxonMobil refineries had to be shut down following related storm damage and releases of hazardous pollutants. Two oil storage tanks owned by Burlington Resources Oil and Gas collectively spilled 30,000 US gallons (110,000 L) of crude in DeWitt County . An additional 8,500 US gallons (32,000 L) of wastewater was spilled in the incidents. On August 30,
4048-492: A storm surge watch became in effect from Port Mansfield to High Island. Additional watches and warnings were posted in these areas at 09:00 UTC on August 24, with a hurricane warning from Port Mansfield to Matagorda ; a tropical storm warning from Matagorda to High Island; a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande; a storm surge warning from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass; and
4224-433: A storm surge watch became in effect from Port Mansfield to High Island. Additional watches and warnings were posted in these areas at 09:00 UTC on August 24, with a hurricane warning from Port Mansfield to Matagorda ; a tropical storm warning from Matagorda to High Island; a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande; a storm surge warning from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass; and
4400-474: A storm surge watch from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande. As the hurricane neared landfall on August 24, an extreme wind warning —indicating an immediate threat of 115–145 mph (185–233 km/h) winds—was issued for areas expected to be impacted by the eyewall; this included parts of Aransas , Calhoun , Nueces , Refugio , and San Patricio counties. The watches and warnings were adjusted accordingly after Harvey moved inland and began weakening, with
4576-472: A storm surge watch from Port Mansfield to the Rio Grande. As the hurricane neared landfall on August 24, an extreme wind warning —indicating an immediate threat of 115–145 mph (185–235 km/h) winds—was issued for areas expected to be impacted by the eyewall; this included parts of Aransas , Calhoun , Nueces , Refugio , and San Patricio counties. The watches and warnings were adjusted accordingly after Harvey moved inland and began weakening, with
4752-419: A subsequent landfall on the northeastern shore of Copano Bay at 06:00 UTC with slightly lower winds of 125 mph (201 km/h). Harvey then rapidly weakened as its forward speed slowed dramatically to a crawl, and Harvey weakened to a tropical storm on August 26. For about two days the storm stalled just inland, dropping very heavy rainfall and causing widespread flash flooding. Around Houston ,
4928-651: A system develops into a tropical cyclone below 10°S between 90°E and 160°E, then it will be named by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM/TCWC Melbourne). The names are assigned in alphabetical order and used in rotating order without regard to year. Within the Southern Pacific basin in the Southern Hemisphere between 160°E – 120°W, a tropical cyclone is named when observations or Dvorak intensity analysis indicate that
5104-585: A system has gale force or stronger winds near the centre which are forecast to continue. The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) names systems that are located between the Equator and 25°S, while the New Zealand MetService names systems (in conjunction with the FMS) that develop to the south of 25°S. In order to enable local authorities and their communities in taking action to reduce the impact of
5280-493: A system intensifies into a tropical cyclone between the Equator ;– 10°S and 141°E – 160°E, then it will be named by Papua New Guinea National Weather Service (NWS, TCWC Port Moresby). Names are assigned in sequence from list A and are automatically retired after being used regardless of any damage caused. List B contains names that will replace names on list A that are retired or removed for other reasons. When
5456-515: A system moves into or develops into a tropical depression within PAGASA's jurisdiction. The four lists of names are rotated every four years, with the names of significant tropical cyclones retired if they have caused at least ₱ 1 billion in damage and/or at least 300 deaths within the Philippines; replacements to retired names are taken from the agency's list of reserved names. If
Hurricane Harvey - Misplaced Pages Continue
5632-475: A temporary reprieve as a result of Harvey, as his legal team was based in Harris County, an area heavily affected by the hurricane. By August 30, corporations across the nation collectively donated more than $ 72 million to relief efforts, with 42 companies donating at least $ 1 million. Professional athletic teams, their players, and managers provided large donations to assist victims of
5808-673: A total of $ 100,000, Peter Huntsman also agreed to match donations up to $ 100,000. The combined total of $ 200,000 was met by August 31, 2017. Following this, their new goal was $ 1 million. Singapore dispatched Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force to areas affected by the hurricane for humanitarian operations, working alongside the Texas National Guard. Israel pledged $ 1 million in relief funds for restoration of non-state run communal infrastructure. Mexico sent volunteers from
5984-525: A triennial basis, with any names that have been used automatically removed. These names are then replaced by the WMO's RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, with names submitted by member nations. Within the Australian region in the Southern Hemisphere between 90°E – 160°E, a tropical cyclone is named when observations or Dvorak intensity analysis indicate that a system has gale force or stronger winds near
6160-414: A tropical cyclone and re-attained tropical storm intensity by 18:00 UTC. Initial reorganization was slow; however, within a highly favorable environment, the system soon underwent rapid intensification as an eye developed and its central pressure quickly fell. After becoming a hurricane on August 24, Harvey continued to quickly strengthen over the next day, ultimately reaching peak intensity as
6336-705: A tropical cyclone is determined by using Lists A–D in order, without regard to the year before restarting with List A. List E contains names that will replace names on Lists A–D when needed. When a tropical or subtropical storm exists in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center 's Marine Meteorological Service names the system using a predetermined list of names. The names are assigned in alphabetical order and used in rotating order without regard to year. The name "Kurumí" replaced "Kamby" in 2018 without
6512-506: A tropical cyclone, the FMS reserves the right to name a system early if it has a high chance of being named. If a tropical cyclone causes loss of life or significant damage and disruption to the way of life of a community, then the name assigned to that cyclone is retired from the list of names for the region. A replacement name is then submitted to the next World Meteorological Organization 's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting. The name of
6688-542: A tropical storm on August 17, receiving the name Harvey . It passed through the Lesser Antilles into Eastern Caribbean , where wind shear weakened the system, causing it to degenerated back into a tropical wave late on August 19. The wave continued generally westward through Caribbean Sea before turning northwestward and beginning to reorganize as it moved over the Yucatan Peninsula into
6864-581: A tropical storm watch was posted for Dominica , while a tropical storm warning became in effect in Barbados , Martinique , Saint Lucia , and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines . All watches and warnings were discontinued by late on August 18, as the storm continued westward into the Caribbean. In Honduras, a green alert was issued for the Atlántida , Islas de la Bahía , Colón , Cortés , Gracias
7040-537: A tropical storm with winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h). Tropical cyclones that intensify into tropical storms between the coast of Americas and 140°W are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC/RSMC Miami), while tropical cyclones intensifying into tropical storms between 140°W and 180° are named by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC/RSMC Honolulu). Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from
7216-561: A tropical wave by August 19. Though it lacked an organized surface low, the remnants of Harvey continued to produce significant convection as it traversed the Caribbean Sea and Yucatán Peninsula . The system reached the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico on August 23 and soon consolidated around a new surface low. Late on August 23, the remnants of Harvey regenerated into
Hurricane Harvey - Misplaced Pages Continue
7392-645: A tropical wave north of Colombia , late on August 19. The remnants were monitored for regeneration as it continued west-northwestward across the Caribbean and the Yucatán Peninsula , before redeveloping over the Bay of Campeche on August 23. Harvey then began to rapidly intensify on August 24, regaining tropical storm status and becoming a hurricane later that day. While the storm moved generally northwest, Harvey's intensification phase stalled slightly overnight from August 24–25; however, Harvey soon resumed strengthening and quickly became
7568-399: A wide variety of toxins and carcinogens. Two Superfund sites in Corpus Christi were flooded. In the months after the hurricane struck, some hospitals in Texas saw a spike in birth rates, with a 17% increase in birth rates being reported at Corpus Christi Medical Center. A similar, larger baby boom also occurred after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 . Due to the extensive damage and loss of life
7744-730: Is $ 1 million. Singapore dispatched Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force to areas affected by the hurricane for humanitarian operations, working alongside the Texas National Guard. Israel pledged $ 1 million in relief funds for restoration of non-state run communal infrastructure. Mexico sent volunteers from the Mexican Red Cross , firemen from Coahuila , and rescue teams from Guanajuato to Houston to assist in relief. Mexico later rescinded their commitment for aid after Hurricane Katia made landfall on Mexico's Gulf Coast, on September 9, 2017. Venezuela offered $ 5 million through
7920-587: Is a very flat flood plain at shallow gradient, slowly draining rainwater through an intricate network of channels and bayous to the sea. The main waterways, the San Jacinto River and the Buffalo Bayou , meander slowly, laden with mud, and have little capacity for carrying storm water. Houston has seen rapid urban development ( urban sprawl ), with absorbent prairie and wetlands replaced by hard surfaces which rapidly shed storm water, overwhelming
8096-487: Is being used in alphabetical order for storms after Amphan. Within the South-West Indian Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere between Africa and 90°E, a tropical or subtropical disturbance is named when it is judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h). This is defined as being when gales are either observed or estimated to be present near
8272-590: Is certain. GET OUT OR DIE! The Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area also experienced torrential precipitation, including 32.55 in (827 mm) of rainfall in Beaumont . Rising waters of the Neches River caused the city to lose service from its main pump station, as well as its secondary water source in Hardin County , cutting water supply to the city for an unknown amount of time. Flooding to
8448-570: Is located in the southeastern United States on the Gulf Coastal Plain , and its clay -based soils provide poor drainage. The climate of Houston brings very heavy rainfall annually in between April and October, during the Texas Gulf Coast rainy season , together with tidal flood events, which have produced repeated floods in the city ever since its founding in 1836, though the flood control district founded in 1947, aided by
8624-739: The 2017 college football season was moved to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana . The NCAA FBS football game between Houston and UTSA was postponed due to the aftermath of the storm. It was originally scheduled for September 2 at the Alamodome in San Antonio and was ultimately canceled. The Houston Dynamo rescheduled a planned Major League Soccer match against Sporting Kansas City on August 26 to October 11. The Houston Dash of
8800-726: The Corpus Christi metropolitan area . All of Victoria was left without water and most had no power. Many locations in the Houston metropolitan area observed at least 30 in (760 mm) of precipitation, with a maximum of 60.58 in (1,539 mm) in Nederland . This makes Harvey the wettest tropical cyclone on record for both Texas and the United States, surpassing the previous rainfall record held by Tropical Storm Amelia . The local National Weather Service office in Houston observed all-time record daily rainfall accumulations on both August 26 and 27, measured at 14.4 and 16.08 in (366 and 408 mm) respectively. Due to
8976-607: The Corpus Christi metropolitan area . Trump made a formal request for $ 5.95 billion in federal funding on August 31 for affected areas, the vast majority of which would go to FEMA. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed the state's entire National Guard for search and rescue, recovery, and clean up operations due to the devastating damage caused by the storm and resulting floods. Other states' National Guard's have offered assistance, with several having already been sent. Texas Civil Air Patrol units were activated to assist in search and rescue and damage assessment. Meanwhile,
SECTION 50
#17327823225179152-571: The Gulf of Mexico declined in the wake of Harvey by approximately 21% — the output dropped to 378,633 barrels per day from the original 1.75 million barrels of oil produced each day. The Eagle Ford Rock Formation (shale oil and gas) in southern Texas reduced production by 300,000 to 500,000 bpd , according to the Texas Railroad Commission . Many energy-related ports and terminals closed, delaying about fourteen crude oil tankers. About 2.25 million bpd of refining capacity
9328-506: The Gulf of Mexico on August 28. Once offshore, the poorly organized system struggled against strong wind shear. Deep convection persisted north of the cyclone's center near the Houston metropolitan area along a stationary front , resulting in several days of record-breaking rain. Early on August 30, the former hurricane made its fifth and final landfall just west of Cameron, Louisiana , with winds of 45 mph (70 km/h). Associated convection with Harvey became focused north of
9504-469: The Gulf of Mexico . At 12:00 UTC on August 26, it redeveloped into a tropical depression, before restrengthening into a tropical storm six hours later. Harvey then began to rapidly intensify as it moved northwestward toward the Texas Gulf Coast . After becoming a hurricane on August 24, Harvey continued to quickly strengthen over the next day, ultimately reaching peak intensity as
9680-447: The Houston metropolitan area and Southeast Texas ; this made the storm the costliest natural disaster recorded in Texas at the time. It was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005, ending a record 12-year span in which no hurricanes made landfall at the intensity of a major hurricane throughout the country. In a four-day period, many areas received more than 40 inches (1,000 mm) of rain as
9856-693: The International Charter on Space and Major Disasters was activated by the USGS on behalf of the Governor's Texas Emergency Management Council , including the Texas Division of Emergency Management , thus providing for humanitarian satellite coverage. The Padre Island National Seashore also closed on August 24. 22 weak tornadoes touched down throughout the state. An EF1 tornado near Fresno caused some minor injuries. Total damage from
10032-413: The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans . The NCAA FBS football game between Houston and UTSA was postponed due to the aftermath of the storm. It was originally scheduled for September 2 at the Alamodome in San Antonio and was ultimately canceled. The Houston Dynamo rescheduled a planned Major League Soccer match against Sporting Kansas City on August 26 to October 11. The Houston Dash of
10208-407: The Mexican Red Cross , firemen from Coahuila , and rescue teams from Guanajuato to Houston to assist in relief. Mexico later rescinded their commitment for aid after Hurricane Katia made landfall on Mexico's Gulf Coast, on September 9, 2017. Venezuela offered $ 5 million through the state-owned Citgo Petroleum , which operates a refinery in Corpus Christi. Houston officials stated that
10384-573: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), $ 3 billion in "insured windstorm and other storm-related property losses"; and about $ 4.75 billion in insured flood losses of private and commercial vehicles. By January 1, 2018, payouts from the NFIP reached $ 7.6 billion against total estimated losses of $ 8.5–9.5 billion. Economists Michael Hicks and Mark Burton at Ball State University estimated damage in
10560-433: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), $ 3 billion in "insured windstorm and other storm-related property losses"; and about $ 4.75 billion in insured flood losses of private and commercial vehicles. By January 1, 2018, payouts from the NFIP reached $ 7.6 billion against total estimated losses of $ 8.5–9.5 billion. Economists Michael Hicks and Mark Burton at Ball State University estimated damage in
10736-852: The National Women's Soccer League rescheduled their August 27 match against the North Carolina Courage to a later date. Both teams moved their training camps to Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) while preparing for their next matches; the Dash's match the following week, against the Seattle Reign , was played in Frisco, with all proceeds from ticket sales benefiting an American Red Cross relief fund for hurricane victims. The Dynamo and Major League Soccer also donated
SECTION 60
#173278232251710912-504: The National Women's Soccer League rescheduled their August 27 match against the North Carolina Courage to a later date. Both teams moved their training camps to Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) while preparing for their next matches; the Dash's match the following week, against the Seattle Reign , was played in Frisco, with all proceeds from ticket sales benefiting an American Red Cross relief fund for hurricane victims. The Dynamo and Major League Soccer also donated
11088-776: The New England Patriots pledged to match up to $ 1 million in donations to the Red Cross. Multiple Hollywood celebrities also pitched in, collectively donating more than $ 10 million, with Sandra Bullock providing the largest single donation of $ 1 million. Leonardo DiCaprio provided $ 1 million to the United Way Harvey Recovery Fund through his foundation . President Donald Trump donated $ 1 million to 12 charities involved in relief efforts. Rachael Ray provided donations totaling $ 1 million to animal shelters across
11264-480: The Southern Hemisphere . Before it became standard practice to give personal (first) names to tropical cyclones, they were named after places, objects, or the saints' feast days on which they occurred. Credit for the first usage of personal names for weather systems is generally given to Queensland Government meteorologist Clement Wragge , who named systems between 1887 and 1907. When Wragge retired,
11440-671: The Texas Department of Transportation website receiving 5 million visits. The hurricane also caused many people to believe that in the wild, only 10 individuals of Attwater's prairie chicken remained at most until Spring 2018, when it was discovered that there were about a dozen wild individuals left. Making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, Harvey inflicted tremendous damage across Aransas County . Wind gusts were observed up to 132 mph (212 km/h) near Port Aransas . Nearly every structure in Port Aransas
11616-438: The Texas Railroad Commission . Many energy-related ports and terminals closed, delaying about fourteen crude oil tankers. About 2.25 million bpd of refining capacity was offline for several days; that is about 12% of total US capacity, with refineries affected at Corpus Christi, and later Port Arthur and Beaumont , and Lake Charles, Louisiana . The price of Brent crude versus West Texas Intermediate crude oil achieved
11792-712: The Texas Rangers from Minute Maid Park in Houston to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida ; ironically, just two weeks later, Hurricane Irma would force the stadium's regular tenants, the Tampa Bay Rays , to move three home games to Citi Field in New York City . This was despite a protectable roof at Minute Maid Park . In the aftermath, the Houston Astros began to wear patches which had
11968-475: The Texas Rangers from Minute Maid Park in Houston to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida ; ironically, just two weeks later, Hurricane Irma would force the stadium's regular tenants, the Tampa Bay Rays , to move three home games to Citi Field in New York City. In the aftermath, the Houston Astros began to wear patches which had the logo of the team with the word "Strong" on the bottom of
12144-558: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , managed to prevent statewide flooding for over 50 years. More recently, residents died in "historic flooding" in May 2015 , and in the April 2016 "tax day floods" . There is a tendency for storms to move very slowly over the region, allowing them to produce tremendous amounts of rain over an extended period, as occurred during Tropical Storm Claudette in 1979, and Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. The area
12320-468: The wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States. The highest gust from Harvey was recorded at 140 mph (230 km/h) in Rockport, Texas , where every single building was damaged by the storm. Overall, Harvey contributed to 68 direct deaths and 35 indirect deaths–a total of 103–and caused at least $ 51.177 billion in damage in Texas alone. A tropical wave developed into
12496-571: The $ 120 billion that it took to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. According to weather analytics firm Planalytics , lost revenue to Houston area retailers and restaurants alone will be approximately $ 1 billion. The Houston area controls 4% of the spending power in the United States. In September 2017, the Insurance Council of Texas estimated the total insured losses from Hurricane Harvey at $ 19 billion. This figure represents $ 11 billion in flood losses insured by
12672-500: The $ 120 billion that it took to rebuild New Orleans after Katrina. According to weather analytics firm Planalytics , lost revenue to Houston area retailers and restaurants alone will be approximately $ 1 billion. The Houston area controls 4% of the spending power in the United States. In September 2017, the Insurance Council of Texas estimated the total insured losses from Hurricane Harvey at $ 19 billion. This figure represents $ 11 billion in flood losses insured by
12848-646: The 14 members submitted 10 names in 1998. The order of the names to be used was determined by placing the English name of the members in alphabetical order. Members of the committee are allowed to request the retirement or replacement of a system's name if it causes extensive destruction or for other reasons such as number of deaths. Since 1963, PAGASA has independently operated its own naming scheme for tropical cyclones that occur within its own self-defined Philippine Area of Responsibility . The names are taken from four different lists of 25 names and are assigned when
13024-400: The 2017–18 school year. The Federal Department of Education eased financial aid rules and procedures for those affected by Harvey, giving schools the ability to waive paperwork requirements; loan borrowers were given more flexibility in managing their loan payments. A 36-year-old inmate sentenced to death for a 2003 murder was granted a temporary reprieve as a result of Harvey, as his legal team
13200-633: The CEO of Arkema warned one of its chemical plants in Crosby, Texas , could explode or be subject to intense fire due to the loss of "critical refrigeration" of materials. All workers at the facility and residents within 1.5 mi (2.4 km) were evacuated. Eight of the plant's nine refrigeration units failed without power, enabling the stored chemicals to decompose and become combustible. Two explosions occurred around 2:00 a.m. on August 31; 21 emergency personnel were briefly hospitalized. Due to
13376-558: The Equator between 140°W and 180°, it is named by the CPHC. Four lists of Hawaiian names are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization's hurricane committee, rotating without regard to year, with the first name for a new year being the next name in sequence that was not used the previous year. The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at
13552-644: The Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm watch in Tamaulipas from Boca De Catan to the mouth of the Rio Grande . The watch remained in effect until 21:00 UTC on August 25, after it became evident that the storm no longer posed a significant threat to that area. FEMA worked with the Coast Guard , Customs and Border Protection , and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prepare for
13728-404: The Houston area, including 6 from the same family who died when their van was swept off a flooded bridge. A police officer drowned while trying to escape rising waters. An estimated 25–30 percent of Harris County—roughly 444 sq mi (1,150 km ) of land—was submerged. Late on August 27, a mandatory evacuation was issued for all of Bay City as model projections indicated
13904-653: The Houston area. Moody's Analytics initially estimated the total economic cost of the storm at $ 81 billion to $ 108 billion or more; most of the economic losses are damage to homes and commercial property. Reinsurance company Aon Benfield estimated total economic losses at $ 100 billion, including $ 30 billion in insured damage, making Harvey the costliest disaster in 2017 by their calculations. USA Today reported an AccuWeather estimate of $ 190 billion, released August 31. On September 3, Texas state governor Greg Abbott estimated that damages will be between $ 150 billion and $ 180 billion, surpassing
14080-430: The Houston drinking water and sewer systems were intact; however, "hundreds of thousands of people across the 38 Texas counties affected by Hurricane Harvey use private wells, according to an estimate by Louisiana State University researchers, and those people must fend for themselves." Additionally, Harris County , which includes Houston, contains a large number of Superfund -designed brownfield sites that contain
14256-496: The Houston metropolitan area alone at $ 198.63 billion. Preliminary reporting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration set a more concrete total at $ 125 billion with $ 41.124 billion coming from Texas alone, making Harvey the 2nd costliest tropical cyclone on record, behind Hurricane Katrina with 2017 costs of $ 161 billion (after adjusting for inflation). A significant portion of
14432-499: The Houston metropolitan area alone at $ 198.63 billion. Preliminary reporting from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration set a more concrete total at $ 125 billion, making Harvey the 2nd costliest tropical cyclone on record, behind Hurricane Katrina with 2017 costs of $ 161 billion (after adjusting for inflation). A significant portion of the storm's damages are uninsured losses. Regular homeowner insurance policies generally exclude coverage for flooding, as
14608-483: The NFIP underwrites most flood insurance policies in the US. Although the purchase of flood insurance is obligatory for federally guaranteed mortgages for homes within the 100-year flood plain , enforcement of the requirement is difficult and many homes, even within the 100-year flood plain, lack flood insurance. In Harris County, Texas —which includes the city of Houston—only 15% of homes have flood insurance policies issued by
14784-562: The NFIP. Participation in the NFIP is higher, but still low, in neighboring Galveston (41%), Brazoria (26%), and Chambers Counties (21%). Homeowners sued authorities after reservoir releases damaged homes. On September 8, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 601, which among other spending actions designated $ 15 billion for Hurricane Harvey relief. The American Red Cross , Salvation Army , United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Relief, United States Equestrian Federation , Humane Society of
14960-513: The North Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Pacific basins as well as the Australian region and Indian Ocean. As of 2014 , tropical cyclones are officially named by one of eleven warning centers and retain their names throughout their lifetimes to facilitate the effective communication of forecasts and storm-related hazards to the general public. This is especially important when multiple storms are occurring simultaneously in
15136-671: The Robert A. "Bob" Bowers Civic Center for shelter, but they were evacuated again after the building began to flood. Water entered at least several hundreds of homes in Jefferson County. Energy production in the Gulf of Mexico declined in the wake of Harvey by approximately 21% — the output dropped to 378,633 barrels per day from the original 1.75 million barrels of oil produced each day. The Eagle Ford Rock Formation (shale oil and gas) in southern Texas reduced production by 300,000 to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to
15312-438: The United States , Knights of Columbus , Samaritan's Purse , Catholic Charities USA , AmeriCares , BakerRipley , Operation BBQ relief, many celebrities, and many other charitable organizations provided help to the victims of the storm. Anarchists (including Antifa ) also provided relief. Business aviation played a part in the rescue efforts, providing support during the storm as well as relief flights bringing in suppliers in
15488-429: The United States , Knights of Columbus , Samaritan's Purse , Catholic Charities USA , AmeriCares , Operation BBQ relief, many celebrities, and many other charitable organizations provided help to the victims of the storm. Anarchists (including Antifa ) also provided relief. Business aviation played a part in the rescue efforts, providing support during the storm as well as relief flights bringing in suppliers in
15664-549: The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement assigned approximately 150 employees from around the country to assist with disaster relief efforts, while stating that no immigration enforcement operations would be conducted. Approximately 32,000 people were displaced in shelters across the state by August 31. The George R. Brown Convention Center , the state's largest shelter, reached capacity with 8,000 evacuees. The NRG Center opened as
15840-581: The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC/RSMC Miami), when they are judged to have 1-minute sustained winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h). The name selected comes from one of six rotating alphabetic lists of twenty-one names, that are maintained by the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) RA IV Hurricane Committee. These lists skip the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z, rotate from year to year and alternate between male and female names. Should all of
16016-401: The United States since Wilma in 2005 . Once Harvey moved inland, it began to weaken rapidly as its speed slowed dramatically to a crawl, and Harvey weakened to a tropical storm on August 26. For about two days the storm stalled just inland, dropping very heavy rainfall and causing catastrophic flash flooding. Harvey's center drifted back towards the southeast, ultimately re-emerging into
16192-520: The United States. Due to the extensive damage, the name "Harvey" was retired in April 2018 and will not be used for another Atlantic tropical cyclone. A westward-moving tropical wave emerged from Africa over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on August 12. A surface circulation slowly developed and convection consolidated around the low over the subsequent days; the system became a tropical depression on August 17. Maintaining its brisk westward motion,
16368-608: The amount of rain accumulated from Harvey, the National Weather Service added 2 new colors to the rain index representing around 50% of the maximum rainfall dropped by Harvey. Multiple flash flood emergencies were issued in the Houston area by the National Weather Service beginning the night of August 26. In Pearland, a suburb south of Houston, a report was made of 9.92 in (252 mm) of rainfall in 90 minutes. The 39.11 in (993 mm) of rain in August made
16544-466: The area to evacuate. On August 28, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began controlled water releases from Addicks and Barker Reservoirs in the Buffalo Bayou watershed in an attempt to manage flood levels in the immediate area. According to the local Corps commander, "It's going to be better to release the water through the gates directly into Buffalo Bayou as opposed to letting it go around
16720-526: The area were inundated with water. One indirect death occurred in Memphis due to a weather-related head-on collision of a car and a tractor trailer on Interstate 40 . Heavy rainfall in Nashville inundated a number of roads and flooded an apartment complex, resulting in the evacuation of 13 people. Overall, about 50 people in the city evacuated from flooded areas. An EF1 tornado also touched down in
16896-709: The brunt of the storm. Four homes were demolished, while five other residences and two shops were damaged. Several public buildings were also damaged, including the community center, the village council buildings, the nursery, and public schools. A 29-year-old woman died after her house collapsed on her. The widespread and catastrophic effects of Hurricane Harvey resulted in one of the costliest natural disasters in United States history. An estimated 300,000 structures and 500,000 vehicles were damaged or destroyed in Texas alone. The storm also spawned 53 tornadoes across six states. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated total damage at $ 125 billion, with
17072-632: The cause. A fundraiser established by Houston Texans defensive lineman J. J. Watt exceeded $ 37 million. For his efforts, Watt received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award . The Texas Rangers and Tennessee Titans both provided $ 1 million, while the New England Patriots pledged to match up to $ 1 million in donations to the Red Cross. Multiple Hollywood celebrities also pitched in, collectively donating more than $ 10 million, with Sandra Bullock providing
17248-536: The center and along a warm front on September 1 as it moved further inland, indicating that the system transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone by 06:00 UTC that day. The remnants continued northeastwards before being absorbed into another extratropical system on September 3. Tropical cyclone warnings and watches for the Windward Islands were issued starting at 15:00 UTC on August 17, about six hours before Harvey developed. At that time,
17424-511: The center which are forecast to continue. The Indonesian Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika names systems that develop between the Equator and 10°S and 90°E and 141°E, while Papua New Guinea's National Weather Service names systems that develop between the Equator and 10°S and 141°E and 160°E. Outside of these areas, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology names systems that develop into tropical cyclones. In order to enable local authorities and their communities in taking action to reduce
17600-516: The central part of the state. High wind knocked out power in Fuquay-Varina, Sanford, and Holly Springs, and large hail hit parts of Wake, Harnett, and Johnston counties. In Willow Spring, hail larger than softballs damaged homes and cars. Flash flooding hit Greenville further east. Tornadoes were also reported in Angier, Clayton, and Smithfield, but they were unconfirmed. Energy production in
17776-650: The city of Houston—only 15% of homes have flood insurance policies issued by the NFIP. Participation in the NFIP is higher, but still low, in neighboring Galveston (41%), Brazoria (26%), and Chambers Counties (21%). Homeowners sued authorities after reservoir releases damaged homes. On September 8, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 601, which among other spending actions designated $ 15 billion for Hurricane Harvey relief. The American Red Cross , Salvation Army , United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Gulf Coast Synod Disaster Relief, United States Equestrian Federation , Humane Society of
17952-412: The city's drainage system could handle a heavy rainfall event, with only 105 of the 120 water pumps being operational and some power turbines being out of service. The city's public schools, as well as six universities and a medical school, closed on August 29. As Harvey began re-emerging into the Gulf of Mexico on August 28, the tropical storm warning in Texas from Mesquite Bay to High Island
18128-699: The country to assist with disaster relief efforts, while stating that no immigration enforcement operations would be conducted. Approximately 32,000 people were displaced in shelters across the state by August 31. The George R. Brown Convention Center , the state's largest shelter, reached capacity with 8,000 evacuees. The NRG Center opened as a large public shelter accordingly. More than 210,000 people registered with FEMA for disaster assistance. The Cajun Navy , an informal organization of volunteers with boats from Louisiana, deployed to Texas to assist in high-water rescues. The Houston Independent School District announced that all students on any of
18304-498: The deaths in Texas, 68 were from the direct effects of Harvey, the highest such number in the state since 1919. 22 weak tornadoes touched down throughout the state. An EF1 tornado near Fresno caused some minor injuries. Throughout Texas, approximately 336,000 people were left without electricity and tens of thousands required rescue. Throughout the state, 103 people died in storm-related incidents: 68 from its direct effects, including flooding, and 35 from indirect effects in
18480-405: The district's campuses would be eligible for free lunch throughout the 2017–18 school year. The Federal Department of Education eased financial aid rules and procedures for those affected by Harvey, giving schools the ability to waive paperwork requirements; loan borrowers were given more flexibility in managing their loan payments. A 36-year-old inmate sentenced to death for a 2003 murder was granted
18656-609: The downtown area would be inundated by 10 ft (3.0 m) of water. Flooding was anticipated to cut off access to the city around 1:00 pm. CDT on August 28. Evacuations took place in Conroe on August 28 following release of water from the Lake Conroe dam. On the morning on August 29, a levee along Columbia Lakes in Brazoria County was breached, prompting officials to urgently request for everyone in
18832-470: The drainage capacity of the rivers and channels. Between 1992 and 2010, almost 25,000 acres (10,000 ha) of wetlands were lost, decreasing the detention capacity of the region by 4 billion US gal (15 billion L). However, Harvey was estimated to have dropped more than 15 trillion US gal (57 trillion L) of water in the area. The Katy Prairie in western Harris County, which once helped to absorb floodwaters in
19008-494: The end and through additional neighborhoods and ultimately into the bayou." At the time the releases started, the reservoirs had been rising at more than 6 inches (150 mm) per hour. Many people began evacuating the area, fearing a levee breach. Despite attempts to alleviate the water rise, the Addicks Reservoir reached capacity on the morning of August 29 and began spilling out. The NASA Johnson Space Center
19184-448: The entire Gulf Coast of Texas from High Island northward. Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for 30 counties on August 23, while mandatory evacuations were issued for Brazoria , Calhoun, Jackson , Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria counties, as well as parts of Matagorda County . On August 26, Governor Abbott added an additional 20 counties to the state of emergency declaration. Furthermore,
19360-403: The entire Gulf Coast of Texas from High Island northward. Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for 30 counties on August 23, while mandatory evacuations were issued for Calhoun, Jackson , Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria counties, as well as parts of Brazoria , and Matagorda counties. On August 26, Governor Abbott added an additional 20 counties to
19536-420: The event of concurrent storms in the same basin . Once storms develop sustained wind speeds of more than 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph), names are generally assigned to them from predetermined lists, depending on the basin in which they originate. Some tropical depressions are named in the Western Pacific, while tropical cyclones must contain a significant amount of gale -force winds before they are named in
19712-450: The extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season , Harvey developed from a tropical wave to the east of the Lesser Antilles , reaching tropical storm status on August 17. The storm crossed through the Windward Islands on the following day, making landfall on the southern end of Barbados and a second landfall on Saint Vincent . Upon entering the Caribbean, Harvey began to weaken due to moderate wind shear , and degenerated into
19888-498: The first usage of personal names for weather systems is generally given to the Queensland Government meteorologist Clement Wragge , who named systems between 1887 and 1907. This system of naming weather systems subsequently fell into disuse for several years after Wragge retired until it was revived in the latter part of World War II for the Western Pacific. Formal naming schemes have subsequently been introduced for
20064-550: The former hurricane made its fifth and final landfall just west of Cameron, Louisiana with winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). Upon the NHC resuming advisories for Harvey at 15:00 UTC on August 23, a hurricane watch was issued in Texas from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass , while a tropical storm watch was posted from Port Mansfield south to the mouth of the Rio Grande and from San Luis Pass to High Island . Additionally,
20240-715: The former, high winds in the capital city of Paramaribo caused roof damage to the Presidential Palace and two homes, while the Torarica Hotel and Casino suffered structural impact. Additionally, four dwellings were deroofed in Commewijne and three others lost their roofs in Wanica ; in the latter, the Ministry of Social Affairs building was damaged by falling trees. In Guyana, the village of Jawalla bore
20416-596: The hurricane caused along its track, particularly in Texas, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Harvey from its rotating name lists in April 2018, and it will never again be used for another Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with Harold for the 2023 season . Effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas Effects • Texas Hurricane Harvey caused major flooding in southern Texas for four days in August 2017. Hurricane Harvey formed on August 17, 2017 in
20592-453: The hurricane's aftermath. By August 29, 2017 approximately 13,000 people had been rescued across the state while an estimated 30,000 were displaced. The refinery industry capacity was reduced, and oil and gas production was affected in the Gulf of Mexico and inland Texas. On Monday, the closure of oil refineries ahead of Hurricane Harvey created a fuel shortage. Panicked motorists waited in long lines. Consequently, gas stations through
20768-675: The immediate aftermath. Volunteers from amateur radio 's emergency service wing, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service , provided communications in American Red Cross shelters in South Texas. Many corporations also contributed to relief efforts. Operation BBQ relief had the help from several local individuals and businesses kick off the support of providing meals for volunteers and victims. Smokers, pallets of wood, and another company came up with
20944-459: The immediate aftermath. Volunteers from amateur radio 's emergency service wing, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service , provided communications in American Red Cross shelters in South Texas. Many corporations also contributed to relief efforts. Operation BBQ relief had the help from several local individuals and businesses kick off the support of providing meals for volunteers and victims. Smokers, pallets of wood, and another company came up with
21120-416: The impact of a tropical cyclone, each of these warning centres reserve the right to name a system early if it has a high chance of being named. If a name is assigned to a tropical cyclone that causes loss of life or significant damage and disruption to the way of life of a community, then the name assigned to that storm is retired from the list of names for the region. A replacement name is then submitted to
21296-455: The impacts of Harvey. In a briefing, the World Meteorological Organization stated that the quantity of rainfall from Harvey had very likely been increased by climate change. Tropical cyclone naming Tropical cyclones and subtropical cyclones are named by various warning centers to simplify communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches and warnings. The names are intended to reduce confusion in
21472-482: The intense winds, and several were completely destroyed. Numerous boats were damaged or sunk at a marina in town, airplanes and structures were destroyed at the Aransas County Airport, and a Fairfield Inn in the city was severely damaged as well. About 20 percent of Rockport's population was displaced, and they were still unable to return to their homes a year after the hurricane. One person died in
21648-406: The largest single donation of $ 1 million. Leonardo DiCaprio provided $ 1 million to the United Way Harvey Recovery Fund through his foundation . Trump donated $ 1 million to 12 charities involved in relief efforts. Rachael Ray provided donations totaling $ 1 million to animal shelters across the Houston area. Moody's Analytics initially estimated the total economic cost of
21824-596: The list of names for a given year are exhausted, names are taken from an auxiliary list, the first ten of which are published every year. Within the North Indian Ocean between 45°E – 100°E, tropical cyclones are named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD/RSMC New Delhi) when they are judged to have intensified into cyclonic storms with 3-minute sustained wind speeds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h). If
22000-482: The lists and a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee. When a tropical depression intensifies into a tropical storm to the north of the Equator between the coastline of the Americas and 140°W, it will be named by the NHC. There are six lists of names which rotate every six years and begin with the letters A—Z used, skipping Q and U, with each name alternating between
22176-471: The logo of the team with the word "Strong" on the bottom of the patch, as well as promoting the hashtag Houston Strong , prominently displaying them as the Astros won the 2017 World Series . Manager A. J. Hinch has stated in an interview that the team wasn't just playing for a title, but to help boost moral support for the city. The annual Texas Kickoff game that was to feature BYU and LSU to kick off
22352-460: The month the wettest ever recorded in Houston since record keeping began in 1892, more than doubling the previous record of 19.21 in (488 mm) in June 2001. The 32.47 inches (825 mm) of rain from August 26–28 set a United States record for highest 3-day rainfall at a major city. The storm surge peaked at 6 feet at Port Lavaca , reducing outflow of rainwater from land to sea. During
22528-549: The names for a given year be used up, then any additional storms would be named using names from a supplemental list. The names of significant tropical cyclones are retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next meeting of the Hurricane Committee. Within the Eastern Pacific Ocean, there are two warning centers that assign names to tropical cyclones on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization when they are judged to have intensified into
22704-605: The next Hurricane Committee meeting. Tropical cyclones that occur within the Northern Hemisphere between the anti-meridian and 100°E are officially named by the Japan Meteorological Agency when they become tropical storms. However, PAGASA also names tropical cyclones that occur or develop into tropical depressions within their self-defined area of responsibility between 5°N–25°N and 115°E–135°E. This often results in tropical cyclones in
22880-510: The next World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting. If a system intensifies into a tropical cyclone between the Equator – 10°S and 90°E – 141°E, it will be named by the Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG/TCWC Jakarta). Names are assigned in sequence from list A, while list B details names that will replace names on list A that are retired or removed for other reasons. If
23056-477: The north and east of the Houston area resulted in mandatory evacuations for portions of Liberty , Jefferson , and Tyler counties, while Jasper and Newton counties were under a voluntary evacuation. One death occurred in Beaumont when a woman exited her disabled vehicle, but was swept away. In Port Arthur , the mayor stated that the entire city was submerged by water. Hundreds of displaced residents went to
23232-468: The northeastern side of the city, damaging trees, homes, carports, and power lines. An additional EF0 tornado on the southeastern side of the city damaged trees, a carport, a warehouse, and a garage, while also flipping an 18-wheeler. Rain in Kentucky was blamed for a fatal car accident. On September 1, the outer bands of Harvey's remnants passed through North Carolina . Severe weather was reported across
23408-626: The open Atlantic . Six days later, after degenerating back into a tropical wave and moving through the Caribbean Sea , Harvey reformed and rapidly intensified in the Gulf of Mexico . Early on August 26, Harvey made landfall in San José Island, Texas at peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph and a pressure of 937 mb. A couple of hours Harvey made another landfall in Holiday Beach as
23584-402: The patch, as well as promoting the hashtag Houston Strong , prominently displaying them as the Astros won the 2017 World Series . Manager A. J. Hinch has stated in an interview that the team wasn't just playing for a title, but to help boost moral support for the city. The annual Texas Kickoff game that was to feature BYU and LSU to kick off the 2017 college football season was moved to
23760-538: The pounds of pork to kick off the support effort. Although Operation BBQ relief has been in effect since May 2011 with the 2011 Joplin tornado , they estimate the Houston ;2017 relief project to be their biggest ever. Operation BBQ relief vendors volunteering for the Houston flood relief estimates that they will serve at least 450,000 meals. On August 27, 2017, it was estimated that Operation BBQ relief will be expecting 25,000 to 30,000 meals
23936-540: The pounds of pork to kick off the support effort. Operation BBQ relief vendors volunteering for the Houston flood relief estimates that they will serve at least 450,000 meals. On August 27, 2017, it was estimated that Operation BBQ relief will be expecting 25,000 to 30,000 meals a day. On August 27, 2017, KSL-TV , KSL Newsradio , FM100.3 , and 103.5 The Arrow created a fundraiser to help Texas residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Because of an anonymous donor willing to match $ 2 for every $ 1 raised up to
24112-609: The practice fell into disuse for several years until it was revived in the latter part of World War II for the Western Pacific. Formal naming schemes and lists have subsequently been used for major storms in the Eastern, Central , Western and Southern Pacific basins, and the Australian region , Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean . Before the formal start of naming, tropical cyclones were often named after places, objects, or saints' feast days on which they occurred. The credit for
24288-505: The region having two names. Tropical cyclones within the Western Pacific are assigned international names by the Japan Meteorological Agency when they become tropical storms with 10-minute sustained winds of at least 34 kn (39 mph; 63 km/h). The names are used sequentially without regard to year and are taken from five lists of names that were prepared by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, after each of
24464-433: The region, has been reduced to one quarter of its previous size in the last several decades due to suburban development , and one analysis discovered that more than 7,000 housing units have been built within the 100-year floodplain in Harris County since 2010. As Houston has expanded, rainwater infiltration in the region has lessened and aquifer extraction increased, causing the depletion of underground aquifers. When
24640-442: The same ocean basin. Names are generally assigned in order from predetermined lists, once they produce one, three, or ten-minute sustained wind speeds of more than 65 km/h (40 mph). However, standards vary from basin to basin, with some systems named in the Western Pacific when they develop into tropical depressions or enter PAGASA's area of responsibility. Within the Southern Hemisphere , systems must be characterized by
24816-663: The saturated ground dries, the soil can be compressed and the land surface elevation decreases in a process called subsidence . Subsidence can also occur due to sediment settling. Specifically, regions to the north and west of the Houston metro have seen 10 to 25 millimetres (0.39 to 0.98 in) of subsidence per year. While oil extraction can cause subsidence, in the Houston-Galveston area, most oil has been extracted from sandstone that has relatively negligible ability to compress once oil has been removed. Thus, oil extraction has not resulted in significant subsidence. Further,
24992-590: The second-costliest. Harvey was the costliest natural disaster recorded in Texas at the time, until it was surpassed in February 2021 by a severe winter storm that crippled the state's power grid , which was estimated to have cost at least $ 195 billion (2021 USD) in damages in Texas. Nationwide, 107 people died in storm-related incidents: 103 in Texas, 2 in Arkansas, 1 in Tennessee, and 1 in Kentucky. Of
25168-417: The shutdown in refineries, gas prices did see an increase nationwide. However, the increase was not as extensive as Hurricane Katrina . Additionally, Harvey's impact coincided with Labor Day Weekend , which sees a traditional increase in gas prices due to the heavy travel for that weekend. Nonetheless, the spike brought the highest gas prices in two years. The flooding in Houston from the storm required
25344-413: The shutdown in refineries, gas prices did see an increase nationwide. However, the increase was not as extensive as Hurricane Katrina . Additionally, Harvey's impact coincided with Labor Day Weekend , which sees a traditional increase in gas prices due to the heavy travel for that weekend. Nonetheless, the spike brought the highest gas prices in two years. The flooding in Houston from the storm required
25520-428: The state of emergency declaration. Furthermore, the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters was activated by the USGS on behalf of the Governor's Texas Emergency Management Council , including the Texas Division of Emergency Management , thus providing for humanitarian satellite coverage. In Louisiana , Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for the entire state. A mandatory evacuation
25696-533: The state were forced to close due to the rush. More than 20 percent of refining capacity was affected. More than 48,700 homes were affected by Harvey throughout the state, including over 1,000 that were completely destroyed and more than 17,000 that sustained major damage; approximately 32,000 sustained minor damage. Nearly 700 businesses were damaged as well. Yet the Texas Department of Public Safety stated more than 185,000 homes were damaged and 9,000 destroyed. The hurricane also caused many people to believe that in
25872-439: The state while an estimated 30,000 were displaced. The refinery industry capacity was reduced, and oil and gas production was affected in the Gulf of Mexico and inland Texas. On Monday, the closure of oil refineries ahead of Hurricane Harvey created a fuel shortage. Panicked motorists waited in long lines. Consequently, gas stations through the state were forced to close due to the rush. More than 20 percent of refining capacity
26048-551: The state, about 500 people were rescued by August 28, while 269 people went to a shelter in southwest Louisiana, about 200 of whom were rescued from their homes. An EF2 tornado near Evangeline damaged four homes, one of which was destroyed. The tornado also damaged fences, a motorcycle, a pickup truck, and toppled three electrical poles. Rain-slicked roads were blamed for two fatal accidents in Arkansas . In Alabama , an unusually large, long-tracked EF2 tornado in
26224-456: The state-owned Citgo Petroleum , which operates a refinery in Corpus Christi. The floodwaters contain a number of hazards to the environment and human health. The Houston Health Department stated that "millions of contaminants" were present in floodwaters. These include E. coli and coliform bacteria; measurements of colony-forming units showed the concentrations were so high that there were risks of contracting flesh-eating disease from
26400-519: The storm and its aftermath. The agency placed disaster response teams on standby at emergency posts in Austin, Texas , and Baton Rouge, Louisiana . Upon the NHC resuming advisories for Harvey at 15:00 UTC on August 23, a hurricane watch was issued in Texas from Port Mansfield to San Luis Pass , while a tropical storm watch was posted from Port Mansfield south to the mouth of the Rio Grande and from San Luis Pass to High Island . Additionally,
26576-574: The storm at $ 81 billion to $ 108 billion or more; most of the economic losses are damage to homes and commercial property. Reinsurance company Aon Benfield estimated total economic losses at $ 100 billion, including $ 30 billion in insured damage, making Harvey the costliest disaster in 2017 by their calculations. USA Today reported an AccuWeather estimate of $ 190 billion, released August 31. On September 3, Texas state governor Greg Abbott estimated that damages will be between $ 150 billion and $ 180 billion, surpassing
26752-538: The storm emerged back over the Gulf of Mexico, strengthening slightly before making a fifth and final landfall in Louisiana on August 29. As Harvey drifted inland, it quickly weakened again as it became an extratropical cyclone on September 1, before dissipating two days later. In addition to the huge cost and extent of the damage it caused, Harvey caused at least 107 confirmed deaths: 1 in Guyana and 106 in
26928-483: The storm's damages are uninsured losses. Regular homeowner insurance policies generally exclude coverage for flooding, as the NFIP underwrites most flood insurance policies in the US. Although the purchase of flood insurance is obligatory for federally guaranteed mortgages for homes within the 100-year flood plain , enforcement of the requirement is difficult and many homes, even within the 100-year flood plain, lack flood insurance. In Harris County, Texas —which includes
27104-478: The storm, more than 800 Houston area flights were canceled, including 704 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and 123 at William P. Hobby Airport . Both airports eventually closed. Several tornadoes were spawned in the area, one of which damaged or destroyed the roofs of dozens of homes in Sienna Plantation . As of August 29, 14 fatalities have been confirmed from flooding in
27280-466: The storm. The Houston Astros pledged $ 4 million to relief along with all proceeds from their home game raffles. Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander also donated $ 4 million to the cause. A fundraiser established by Houston Texans defensive lineman J. J. Watt exceeded $ 37 million. For his efforts, Watt received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award . The Texas Rangers and Tennessee Titans both provided $ 1 million, while
27456-407: The system has acquired a special notoriety, such as causing a large number of deaths and amounts of damage, impact, or for other special reasons. A replacement name is then submitted to the committee concerned and voted upon, but these names can be rejected and replaced with another name for various reasons: these reasons include the spelling and pronunciation of the name, the similarity to the name of
27632-480: The system slowly meandered over eastern Texas and adjacent waters, causing unprecedented flooding. With peak accumulations of 60.58 in (1,539 mm), in Nederland, Texas , Harvey was the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States . The resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes, which displaced more than 30,000 people and prompted more than 17,000 rescues. The eighth named storm , third hurricane, and first major hurricane of
27808-459: The system strengthened slightly and became a tropical storm later that day, at which time it was assigned the name Harvey . With maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (70 km/h), Harvey made landfalls in Barbados and St. Vincent on August 18 before entering the Caribbean. Hostile environmental conditions, namely wind shear , imparted weakening and caused Harvey to degenerate into
27984-554: The tornadoes reached $ 7.601 million, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information . Throughout Texas, approximately 336,000 people were left without electricity and tens of thousands required rescue. Throughout the state, 103 people died in storm-related incidents: 68 from its direct effects, including flooding, and 35 from indirect effects in the hurricane's aftermath. By August 29, 2017 approximately 13,000 people had been rescued across
28160-672: The traditional Governor's Cup National Football League preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans scheduled for August 31 to be moved from NRG Stadium in Houston to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas . The game was later canceled to allow the Houston Texans players to return to Houston after the storm. In addition, the Houston Astros were forced to move their August 29–31 series with
28336-438: The traditional Governor's Cup National Football League preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans scheduled for August 31 to be moved from NRG Stadium in Houston to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas . The game was later canceled to allow the Houston Texans players to return to Houston after the storm. In addition, the Houston Astros were forced to move their August 29–31 series with
28512-458: The vast majority of which would go to FEMA. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed the state's entire National Guard for search and rescue, recovery, and clean up operations due to the devastating damage caused by the storm and resulting floods. Other states' National Guard's have offered assistance, with several having already been sent. Meanwhile, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement assigned approximately 150 employees from around
28688-717: The vicinity of Reform and Palmetto damaged two homes and destroyed a barn along SR 17 , while four people were hospitalized for their injuries. The same tornado also caused damage to trees and roofs in Lamar County near Kennedy and additional damage in Fayette County , causing two more injuries. Another EF2 tornado in Arab destroyed chicken houses and damaged homes and trees. In Tennessee , more than 19,000 people lost electricity in Memphis . Low-lying streets in
28864-565: The volume of oil extraction in the Houston area is too low to cause significant subsidence. The Gulf of Mexico is known for hurricanes in August, so their incidence alone cannot be attributed to global warming , but the warming climate does influence certain attributes of storms. Studies in this regard show that storms tend to intensify more rapidly prior to landfall. Weather events are due to multiple factors, and so cannot be said to be caused by one precondition, but climate change affects aspects of extreme events, and very likely worsened some of
29040-404: The warning discontinued at 15:00 UTC on August 26. By 09:00 UTC on the following day, only a tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning remained in effect from Port O'Connor to Sargent . However, watches and warnings were re-issued as Harvey began to re-emerge into the Gulf of Mexico, and beginning at 15:00 UTC on August 28, a tropical storm warning was in effect for
29216-404: The warning discontinued at 15:00 UTC on August 26. By 09:00 UTC on the following day, only a tropical storm warning and a storm surge warning remained in effect from Port O'Connor to Sargent . However, watches and warnings were re-issued as Harvey began to re-emerge into the Gulf of Mexico, and beginning at 15:00 UTC on August 28, a tropical storm warning was in effect for
29392-404: The water. Houston officials stated that the Houston drinking water and sewer systems were intact; however, "hundreds of thousands of people across the 38 Texas counties affected by Hurricane Harvey use private wells, according to an estimate by Louisiana State University researchers, and those people must fend for themselves." Additionally, Harris County , which includes Houston, contains
29568-526: The wild, only 10 individuals of Attwater's prairie chicken remained at most until Spring 2018, when it was discovered that there were about a dozen wild individuals left. Heavy rainfall extended eastward into Louisiana, with the state recording up to 14.88 in (378 mm) of precipitation near the town of Iowa . In the city of Lake Charles , flood waters reached 4 ft (1.2 m) in height in some areas, with homes inundated and hundreds of people forced to evacuate in one neighborhood alone. Throughout
29744-438: Was affected. More than 48,700 homes were affected by Harvey throughout the state, including over 1,000 that were completely destroyed and more than 17,000 that sustained major damage; approximately 32,000 sustained minor damage. Nearly 700 businesses were damaged as well. Yet the Texas Department of Public Safety stated more than 185,000 homes were damaged and 9,000 destroyed. Over 500 roads closed throughout Texas, leading to
29920-547: Was based in Harris County, an area heavily affected by the hurricane. By August 30, corporations across the nation collectively donated more than $ 72 million to relief efforts, with 42 companies donating at least $ 1 million. Professional athletic teams, their players, and managers provided large donations to assist victims of the storm. The Houston Astros pledged $ 4 million to relief along with all proceeds from their home game raffles. Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander also donated $ 4 million to
30096-510: Was closed to employees and visitors due to the flooding until September 5. Only the critical mission control staff remained and resided in the control rooms to monitor procedures of the International Space Station . Anyone who chooses to not [evacuate] cannot expect to be rescued and should write their social security numbers in permanent marker on their arm so their bodies can be identified. The loss of life and property
30272-598: Was damaged, some severely, while significant damage from storm surge also occurred. In Rockport , entire blocks were destroyed by the hurricane's violent eyewall winds. The city's courthouse was severely damaged when a cargo trailer was hurled into it, coming to a stop halfway through the structure. The gymnasium of the Rockport-Fulton High School lost multiple walls while the school itself suffered considerable damage. Many homes, apartment buildings, and businesses sustained major structural damage from
30448-649: Was extended eastward into Louisiana to the community of Cameron at 12:00 UTC, while a tropical storm watch was issued from Cameron to Intracoastal City . Winds left residents throughout Barbados without electricity, with a majority of outages occurring in Christ Church , Saint Joseph , Saint Lucy , and Saint Michael provinces. Flooding washed one house off its foundation, while water entered some houses, forcing some people to evacuate. Bridges in Saint Andrew and Saint Joseph were damaged. Additionally,
30624-593: Was offline for several days; that is about 12% of total US capacity, with refineries affected at Corpus Christi, and later Port Arthur and Beaumont , and Lake Charles, Louisiana . The price of Brent crude versus West Texas Intermediate crude oil achieved a split of U.S. $ 5. Two ExxonMobil refineries had to be shut down following related storm damage and releases of hazardous pollutants. Two oil storage tanks owned by Burlington Resources Oil and Gas collectively spilled 30,000 gallons of crude in DeWitt County . An additional 8,500 gallons of wastewater
30800-619: Was ordered in Cameron Parish for the cities of Big Lake, Cameron , Creole , Grand Chenier , Hackberry , Holly Beach , and Johnson Bayou . Additionally, a voluntary evacuation was ordered in Vermilion Parish for low-lying areas south of State Highway 14 . The Louisiana National Guard prepared about 500,000 sandbags and emergency boats and high-water-rescue vehicles were placed on standby should flooding occur. In New Orleans , there were concerns about whether or not
30976-576: Was spilled in the incidents. On August 30, the CEO of Arkema warned one of its chemical plants in Crosby, Texas , could explode or be subject to intense fire due to the loss of "critical refrigeration" of materials. All workers at the facility and residents within 1.5 mi (2.4 km) were evacuated. Eight of the plant's nine refrigeration units failed without power, enabling the stored chemicals to decompose and become combustible. Two explosions occurred around 2:00 a.m. on August 31; 21 emergency personnel were briefly hospitalized. Due to
#516483