Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Texas on August 25, 2017, bringing with it unprecedented amounts of rainfall and catastrophic flooding. The storm's impact was felt across the state, with the city of Houston being one of the hardest hit areas. The following are 7 notable pictures that capture the devastation and resilience of the people affected by Hurricane Harvey:
Picture 1: Flooding in Downtown Houston

Aerial views of downtown Houston showed the city’s streets and buildings underwater, with the floodwaters reaching as high as 10 feet in some areas. The photo, taken by a drone, shows the extent of the flooding, with cars and buildings submerged in the water. The flooding was so severe that it caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
Picture 2: Rescue Efforts
A dramatic photo showed a rescue team pulling a family to safety from their flooded home in Dickinson, Texas. The family, including a young child, were perched on the roof of their home, waiting for help to arrive. The rescue efforts were led by a team of brave first responders, who risked their lives to save thousands of people stranded by the floodwaters.
Category | Description |
---|---|
Flood Damage | An estimated 200,000 homes were damaged or destroyed by the floodwaters |
Displacement | Over 30,000 people were forced to seek shelter in evacuation centers |

Picture 3: Oil Refinery Fires

A series of photos showed massive fires burning at oil refineries in the Houston area, releasing toxic chemicals into the air. The fires were caused by the flooding, which damaged the refineries’ equipment and infrastructure. The environmental impact of the fires was significant, with concerns raised about the potential long-term effects on the health of local residents.
Picture 4: Neighborhood Devastation
A heart-wrenching photo showed a neighborhood in Houston, where homes were reduced to rubble and debris was scattered everywhere. The photo captured the scale of the destruction, with entire blocks of homes destroyed or severely damaged. The storm’s impact on the community was devastating, with many residents left without homes or livelihoods.
Key Points
- Hurricane Harvey caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history
- The storm displaced over 30,000 people, with many forced to seek shelter in evacuation centers
- The flooding was exacerbated by a combination of factors, including climate change, urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure
- The environmental impact of the storm was significant, with concerns raised about the potential long-term effects on the health of local residents
- The storm highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for effective emergency response systems
Picture 5: Animal Rescue
A touching photo showed a rescue team saving a dog from a flooded home in Houston. The dog, a small terrier, was perched on a piece of furniture, waiting for help to arrive. The rescue efforts included not just people, but also animals, with many pets and livestock affected by the floodwaters.
Picture 6: Community Response
A photo showed a community coming together to help those affected by the storm. The photo captured a group of volunteers, including local residents and emergency responders, working together to distribute food and supplies to those in need. The community response was overwhelming, with many people donating their time, money, and resources to help those affected by the storm.
Picture 7: Aftermath
A somber photo showed the aftermath of the storm, with debris and rubble scattered everywhere. The photo captured the scale of the destruction, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. The storm’s impact will be felt for years to come, with many residents still recovering from the devastation.
What was the total cost of damages from Hurricane Harvey?
+The total cost of damages from Hurricane Harvey was estimated to be around $125 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
How many people were displaced by the storm?
+Over 30,000 people were displaced by the storm, with many forced to seek shelter in evacuation centers.
What were some of the factors that contributed to the severity of the flooding?
+The flooding was exacerbated by a combination of factors, including climate change, urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure.