Nine years ago, on the night of August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane near Rockport, Texas.
Harvey struck near Rockport, Texas, and would go on to become one of the most destructive and costly natural disasters in U.S. history.
Landfall and destruction
Around 10 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2017, Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, with sustained winds of 130 mph.
Catastrophic wind damage impacted the Coastal Bend, while storm surges of 6 to 10 feet inundated bays and low-lying coastal communities.
Historic floods
Harvey’s impact was defined by unprecedented rainfall. After landfall, the storm stalled over Southeast Texas, dumping 40 to 60 inches of rain across parts of Texas and Louisiana.
After landfall, Harvey slowed to a crawl over Southeast Texas, setting the stage for a historic flooding disaster.
- Over 40 to 60 inches of rain fell in parts of Texas and Southwestern Louisiana.
- The highest total—60.58 inches—was recorded near Nederland, Texas, breaking the U.S. record for rainfall from a tropical cyclone.
- 18 locations recorded over 48 inches of rain.
- In the Houston metro area, 36 to 48 inches of rain fell across much of the city.
- 6.8 inches of rain were recorded in just one hour in southeast Houston.
- 70% of Harris County, or 1,300 square miles, were submerged in 1.5 feet of water.
Lasting legacy
Harvey also created 57 tornadoes, which added to the destruction. At least 68 Texans died directly from flooding, while dozens more indirect deaths were linked to the storm’s aftermath.
The storm caused an estimated $125 billion in damage and flooded more than 300,000 structures across Southeast Texas, making Harvey one of the costliest tropical cyclones in U.S. history.
Communities from Rockport to Houston have spent years rebuilding infrastructure and improving flood mitigation efforts. Yet, Harvey’s emotional and financial impacts remain for many Texans.
With record-breaking rainfall, historic flooding, and billions in damage, Hurricane Harvey remains a powerful reminder of the destructive potential of tropical cyclones and the importance of preparedness.
A collection of daily blog posts from the KSAT Weather Authority.
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