Houston was recently hit by one of the most devastating Hurricanes in history. Hurricane Harvey was the costliest hurricane in history, even more so than Hurricane Katrina, costing more than an estimated $190 billion in damages. Harvey resulted in 70 deaths and many people stranded and without homes. It is the most devastating thing to ever happen to Houston.

During Harvey’s run of terror, Houston took on almost 52 inches of rain and 33 trillion gallons of water, a new national rainfall record. Because Harvey was always partially over the gulf, it was able to take on more water to pour down on Houston. The rain fell for 5 days straight and quickly filled drainage ditches and gullies leaving no place for it to go but publics streets and neighborhoods.

Despite the bad of the hurricane, there was good also. The entire country came together to help the victims of the Hurricane. So many people came that there were lines just to volunteer, and many people were denied a spot so worksites would not get over crowded. Also, city hero and NFL star, J.J. Watt started a charity aimed at raising $2oo thousand dollars and raised $28 million instead. Mattress Mack opened the doors of his furniture store so those displaced by the hurricane had a place to stay. There was a great sense of servanthood throughout the country that was very needed because of the rough time the country was facing.

Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston, and who knows if it will ever be the same. But one thing is for sure, the generosity shown and the number of people volunteering makes me optimistic that Houston and its citizens will come back.

Sources:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/tropical-storm-harvey-record-rainfall-catastrophic-flooding-hammering-texas/598911920

https://qz.com/1065089/volunteers-are-coordinating-harvey-rescue-efforts-through-crowdsourcing-and-zello/