Nine years ago, on the night of August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane near Rockport, Texas. This storm would go on to be one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, leaving a lasting impact on the communities it affected.
Radar image of Hurricane Harvey as a Category 4 during landfall
(Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)
Landfall and destruction
Around 10 p.m. on August 25, Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, unleashing sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm wreaked havoc along the Coastal Bend, with catastrophic wind damage and storm surges of 6 to 10 feet flooding bays and low-lying coastal neighborhoods.
Timeline of Hurricane Harvey
(Copyright 2026 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)
Historic floods
Harvey’s most significant impact came from the record-breaking rainfall it produced. After making landfall, the storm stalled over Southeast Texas, releasing an astonishing 40 to 60 inches of rain across Texas and Louisiana. This relentless downpour led to a historic flooding disaster, impacting countless lives.
Harvey produced life-threatening flooding with over 40″ of rain falling near Houston
(Copyright 2026 by KSAT – All rights reserved.)
Lasting legacy
In addition to flooding, Harvey spawned 57 tornadoes, contributing further to the devastation. At least 68 Texans lost their lives directly due to flooding, with many more fatalities linked to the storm’s aftermath. The total estimated damage reached a staggering $125 billion, affecting over 300,000 structures in Southeast Texas, making Harvey one of the costliest tropical cyclones in U.S. history.
In the years since, communities from Rockport to Houston have worked tirelessly to rebuild and enhance flood mitigation efforts. However, the emotional and financial scars left by Harvey continue to impact many Texans. With its record-breaking rainfall and catastrophic flooding, Hurricane Harvey serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive potential of tropical cyclones and the critical need for preparedness.
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