Houstonians are no strangers to the challenges of devastating storms like Hurricane Harvey. Just as in the past, though, citizens and neighbors came together during and after the storm to demonstrate that the Houston community is #HoustonStrong.
We wanted to share just a few of the many stories of resilience in the face of adversity. We hope these stories lift your spirits on the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey.
1) A Human Chain and a Dump Truck Rescued a Woman in Labor
Pregnancy is stressful enough, but what about when you combine an impending birth and three feet of floodwater? That’s the situation Andrea Smith and her husband, Greg, found themselves in when Hurricane Harvey veered into Houston last year.
While they had a plan for getting Andrea to the hospital, that all went out the window when Harvey’s waters continued to rise overnight. With contractions intensifying and no response from 911 or the Coast Guard, Greg (a doctor but not an obstetrician), made preparations to deliver the baby in their apartment with the help of his neighbors.
When a dump truck (with large wheels and enough weight to brave the streets) arrived with the fire department, neighbors formed a human chain to help Andrea wade through the waters and into the back of the truck. They made it safely to the hospital where baby Adrielle was born with a birth story to rival all her friends.
2) Texan Teens Showed That We Have Hope for the Future
After seeing their pickup underwater, four teenagers (Thomas Edwards, Richard Dickason, Liam Connor, and Declan Connor), ages 15-17, decided to put Declan’s fishing boat to good use. Instead of complaining on social media or spending the day capturing videos of the devastation, the four teens spent hours rescuing stranded strangers.
With a paddle board in tow, the group managed to help rescue over fifty people and a number of pets, including dogs, cats, and even bunnies.
3) A Group of Stranded Bakers Stayed up All Night Baking Pan Dulce
In an emergency, people help in whatever way they can. Sometimes, that means sticking to your strengths. For a group of bakers who were stranded at El Bolillo Bakery during Hurricane Harvey, it meant using their free time to prepare loaf after loaf of pan dulce for flood victims. Thanks to their effort, many hungry survivors had fresh bread to help them deal with the devastation.
4) So Many Pets Were Reunited With Their Owners
Pets can be #HoustonStrong, too! Hundreds of photos and videos show frightened pets escaping the floodwaters with their families. Many times, however, the pets get stranded or left behind from necessity. As these stories from the ASPCA show, the reunions are something to celebrate.
5) The Houston Astros Won the World Series
Sports franchises seem to heed the call for inspiration when their fans need it the most. The Astros were no exception in 2017. After a stellar season, many pundits wondered if the impact of Hurricane Harvey would derail the Astros or propel them to a championship.
On November 1, just nine weeks after Harvey struck, the Astros brought the first World Series Championship to Houston, and fans, many in temporary housing or flood-damaged homes, celebrated the historic victory.
Now we can’t share every uplifting story from last year, but these few provide a sample of the many ways in which Houston and the surrounding area stood strong in the face of Hurricane Harvey. The efforts to rebuild continue even after a year, and we look forward to working with Houstonians to grow #HoustonStrong together. For information on how Texan Insurance can serve you, contact us today.
