The 2017 hurricane season was record breaking…and that is not necessarily a good thing.
Harvey is the second-most costly hurricane in U.S. history behind Katrina after inflation is taken into consideration. This storm was responsible for 68 direct deaths in Texas. That is the largest number of direct deaths from a tropical system in Texas since 1919.
The “First” Harvey
The timeline for this particular storm was a little odd. Tropical Depression Harvey formed on August 17th east of Barbados. Twelve hours later it became Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey peaked for the first time on August 18th. Increasing wind shear caused Harvey to be downgraded into a tropical depression and then a tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea on August 19th.
Harvey 2.0
The remnants of Harvey reformed into a tropical depression in the Bay of Campeche early on August 23rd. Harvey began to rapidly intensify late that evening. The reason for the rapid intensification was because of a low sheer environment combined with very warm water and high mid-level moisture. Harvey became a hurricane on August 24th and reached major hurricane status (Category 3) by midday on August 25th. Harvey intensified to a Category 4 on August 26th about 3 hours before it made landfall on the northern end of San Jose Island.
Harvey…By the Numbers
Minimum Pressure: 937 mb
Highest Wind Speed: 134 MPH
Death Toll: 88
Highest Storm Surge: 8-10 ft
Highest Rainfall total: 60.58 in. (Nederland, Texas)
Tornadoes: 57 tornadoes, 150 tornado warnings
Damage Estimate: $125 billion
