Hurricane Harvey

Definition

Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane that made landfall in Texas in August 2017, causing catastrophic flooding and extensive damage across the Gulf Coast region. The hurricane is notable for its unprecedented rainfall, which led to historic flooding, particularly in Houston, Texas. Its impact highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to severe weather events and the importance of understanding hurricane structure and intensity classification.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hurricane Harvey produced over 60 inches of rain in some areas, leading to record flooding that displaced thousands of residents.
2. The hurricane made landfall on August 25, 2017, near Rockport, Texas, and subsequently stalled over southeastern Texas, exacerbating rainfall totals.
3. Harvey was responsible for an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
4. The hurricane's slow movement was a significant factor in the extreme rainfall and flooding, as it lingered over populated areas for several days.
5. Hurricane Harvey raised awareness about climate change's role in intensifying hurricanes and flooding events, sparking discussions about infrastructure resilience.

Review Questions

• How did Hurricane Harvey's structure as a Category 4 hurricane influence its intensity and the resulting damage?
  • As a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, Hurricane Harvey had sustained winds between 130-156 mph. This intensity contributed to significant wind damage upon landfall, especially in coastal areas. However, its slow movement also allowed for prolonged rainfall, leading to catastrophic flooding in cities like Houston. Understanding this structure is crucial as it illustrates how both wind speed and movement affect a hurricane's overall impact.
• Discuss the relationship between Hurricane Harvey's storm surge and the flooding experienced along the Texas coast.
  • The storm surge from Hurricane Harvey was a critical factor that exacerbated flooding along the Texas coast. As the hurricane approached land, strong winds pushed ocean water onto shore, resulting in a rise in sea levels that overwhelmed coastal defenses. This storm surge, combined with intense rainfall that followed after landfall, created conditions where rivers and bayous overflowed their banks, contributing significantly to widespread flooding across Houston and surrounding areas.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of Hurricane Harvey on urban planning and infrastructure resilience in hurricane-prone regions.
  • Hurricane Harvey exposed significant vulnerabilities in urban planning and infrastructure resilience in areas prone to hurricanes. The extreme flooding highlighted the need for improved drainage systems and flood mitigation strategies to better prepare for future storms. In response to Harvey, many city planners and policymakers have begun reevaluating land-use regulations and investing in infrastructure improvements designed to handle increased rainfall and rising sea levels due to climate change. The lessons learned from this disaster will shape how cities approach risk management and disaster preparedness moving forward.

Related terms

Saffir-Simpson Scale:

A classification system used to categorize hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds, ranging from Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest).

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level caused by the winds and pressure of a hurricane, often leading to coastal flooding during landfall.

Tropical Cyclone: A general term for a storm system characterized by low pressure and organized thunderstorms, including hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones.