These Before And After Photos Show Just How Much Rain Hurricane Harvey Has Dumped On Houston
Hurricane Harvey is leaving Houston, the fourth largest city in America, in a bad state. These devastating photos illustrate just how much rainfall continues to impact the area.
According to the National Weather Service, Harvey has so far dumped 52 inches of rain onto the city, and according to NPR, this is a record-breaking amount for the continental U.S. It topped the record for the greatest amount of measured single-storm rainfall for the continental U.S.
The national record is topped only by Cyclone Hiki, which caused more than 52 inches of rain in Hawaii in 1950, the publication states.
A total of 31 people have been confirmed dead as a result of Harvey and more than 30,000 will continue to be in need of shelter. Once you’ve seen the photos, you’ll understand why.
More than 50,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the flooding.
A Reuters analysis is estimating that $24 billion worth of property has been impacted or destroyed. Images taken by satellite show at least 234 square miles of flooding in Harris County and 51 square miles of flooding in Galveston County.
It didn’t take long for areas to become inundated with water, either. The left photo shows what the area looked like on Aug. 26 and the left is the morning of Aug. 27.
The left is Memorial Parkway on Saturday.
The right is Memorial Parkway Sunday morning. #Harvey #HoustonFlood https://t.co/88qQ8fcKZ4 pic.twitter.com/RKevt6b92A
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 27, 2017
Major roadways, including highways, are completely submerged.
Perspective of Houston's flooding. This is from Houston TransStar. The top is March of 2016. The bottom is this morning. #Harvey pic.twitter.com/w9RFvE7vLJ
— Joey Palacios 😷 (@Joeycules) August 27, 2017
This gif almost allows you to see the flooding happen in real time.
Unbelievable Before & After of the flooding on Buffalo Bayou in #Houston from #Harvey. (Via streetreporter on Youtube) pic.twitter.com/a6FXIh0rtq
— Matt Reagan (@MattReaganWX) August 27, 2017
It’s crazy to see just how flooded everything became, and in very little time, at that.
Interstate 10 before and after Hurricane Harvey. pic.twitter.com/WFiotm8lsA
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) August 30, 2017
The water comes over the bumper of this vehicle.
Photos and videos show the effects of Harveyhttps://t.co/L7mmqaTWEI
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 31, 2017
And businesses were destroyed.
This is Moby Dick's, a tiki bar/restaurant in Port Aransas before and after Harvey. I had lunch there back in June. This hurts to see 😔 pic.twitter.com/rtguhW7MhO
— The Essential Industry Explorer (@ObservingRetail) August 26, 2017
It’s sad to see an area affected in this way.
🇮🇳 https://t.co/7BtJEsUdGo 🇮🇳 Hurricane Harvey before-after photos flood social media, and they re devastating https://t.co/nuq4jW1esJ
— Avijit Basak (@Avijit_35) August 31, 2017
We can’t even begin to imagine what this would feel like.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYeCjAXARgU/?tagged=hurricaneharvey
RELATED: 8 Touching Moments From Hurricane Harvey That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity
If you’d like to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief, here are just some of the ways you can do so.
How To Help
Whether you’re seeing the devastation firsthand or watching on TV from across the country, it’s natural to want to help. However, Volunteer Houston reminds you not put yourself in danger while you’re helping others. That means don’t head down to Texas on your own. It’s best to either join an existing group that is already up-to-date on how to operate safely in the area, or to donate resources from afar.
#Harvey in perspective. So much rain has fallen, we've had to update the color charts on our graphics in order to effectively map it. pic.twitter.com/Su7x2K1uuz
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 28, 2017
1. Help The Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a vital source of relief after a natural disaster like this. They’re sending volunteers to Texas, where they’re providing shelter, giving out meals and preparing the blood supply. You can join the Red Cross by volunteering in person or by donating to the relief efforts.
To give a monetary gift, head to the American Red Cross website or text HARVEY to 90999 to instantly donate $10.
If you are able to go in person, the Red Cross is training volunteers all over the country before they deploy to Houston. Apply to become a volunteer online.
It’s always a good time to give blood, too, no matter where you live.
2. Sign Up With Volunteer Houston’s VIRTUAL Volunteer Reception Center
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is sending people to this site to sign up and see what needs they can currently help fulfill.
For those wanting to volunteer in Houston. #HarveyRelief https://t.co/ey1JnvowOf
— FEMA Region 6 (@FEMARegion6) August 28, 2017
3. Host Evacuees Who Need Somewhere To Stay
If you live near Houston, consider posting your place on Airbnb. You won’t make any money, but you will make a big difference.
“During and directly after a disaster, temporary housing for those who are displaced and for relief workers can be hard to find. Airbnb activates its community to support local and national efforts in addressing this need,” according to the company’s website.
Astounding video shows numerous boats maneuvering around stranded vehicles on flooded street in Dickinson, Texas. https://t.co/JZvofyopoP pic.twitter.com/J5J2ZNxwiP
— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2017
4. Make Sure No Baby Goes Without a Diaper
The Texas Diaper Bank is helping local families affected by the flooding. According to WOAI, donations will help the organization create disaster relief kits that include the basics, such as diapers, for those in need.
RELATED: 8 Touching Moments From Hurricane Harvey That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity
5. Help The Pets
Several animal welfare organizations are on the ground in Houston, because it’s not only people who are in need of temporary housing due to Hurricane Harvey. If you’re local, you can foster pets with Austin Pets Alive!, the SPCA or the Animal Defense League of Texas, or donate to the organizations to further their efforts.