The fury of Hurricane Harvey

Houstonians and those on the Gulf coast in the USA are used to tropical storms and hurricanes. But Harvey proved to be unique and the worst in recent history stunning a metropolis of over seven million people living in the fourth largest city in the United States. This was a five-day incessant rain, and an ongoing flooding event. The drainage system was built to handle about 2 inches per hour rain. Some areas had rainfall of more than 8 inches per hour and with totals of 30 to 40 inches across the city. Most of the damage was done by the rain from the outer bands of the Hurricane eye that was 200 miles away.

There were tornadoes and flash flood warnings one after another continually for 48 hours like in a war zone that is targeted by missiles. We got the family together and spent anxious moments waiting for each of the warnings to expire. Some homes were damaged due to tornadoes. All the neighbours, friends and family were in touch via social media sharing latest updates, and mutually raising the anxiety levels.

The apartments and areas that were home for us for over a decade are under water. We are one of the lucky ones who came out safely. But many more had a close call with water reaching the doorsteps and receding since. It is heartbreaking to see friends have their homes flooded, some still do not even know what they will see when they get home. Along with all others, numerous Indian-Americans residents and businesses are watching TV remotely and worrying about their immediate future and livelihood.

Several areas of the city are marooned. Most of the rescue efforts are being done by private citizens with boats who arrived from across Texas and the country even before the storm ended. It was an amazing sight watching people risking their lives to save total strangers. Some have already made the ultimate sacrifice trying to help.

Many religious places, businesses, including Indian restaurants are taking care of those in need. People are volunteering and donating in large numbers at these shelters. Homes out here are built with wood. Any amount of exposure to flood water requires replacing a significant part of the house. If a house gets submerged or drenched in water for a long period, it degrades and has to be rebuilt completely. There are thousands of homeowners in this situation, many do not have flood insurance and they have to spend their own money running in to tens of thousands of dollars that will bankrupt some, force some to sell the property, and alter their lives forever for the worse.

During this time, new homes in newer areas that survived the storm are being flooded by release of waters from reservoirs, a chemical plant about to explode due to flooding and lack of climate control. The road to recovery for possibly the costliest storm in the USA is going to be long and painful and it has not even begun. It is hurricane season in the Gulf till end of November and we are already watching the next developing storm nervously. This is a nightmare that seemingly never ends.

By: Ramkiran Addanki
Author is an IT professional in Houston