The effects of Hurricane Harvey are still being felt months after the storm made landfall. Youth Odyssey was blessed to not have suffered much damage, and we resumed programs almost immediately following the storms. Unfortunately, not all of our neighbors were so lucky.
Hurricane harvey made landfall August 25th, 2017. Upon touching land it was a category 4 hurricane with winds up to 132 mph! It was a 9 day marathon of rain and high winds that resulted in 51 inches of flood waters and $180 billion in damages throughout the coastal bend area. Many people lost their homes and prized possessions. In Houston it took the lives of 77 people. Upon the culmination of the event, Americans and Texans from all across the country banded together to support one another. We here at Youth Odyssey also decided to fight the good fight and help clean up what Harvey took from our precious land.
Nothing Beats Hard Work and A Can-Do Attitude!
Rockport, Texas sustained damages to homes and businesses alike. We grabbed our Youth Leaders and some volunteers and headed out to help. The first weekend we went out, we took on Holiday Beach. Our youth helped clear drywall and insulation out from two separate households. The second home had completely lost its roof and the amount of damage was astounding! The family was in good spirits and had a can-do attitude. It was really inspirational. The kids had such a sense of accomplishment that we went out again the following weekend! This time they helped an elderly lady clear out all the debris and glass from her yard that was right on the water. Originally, she said she was planning on hiring a company to come out with a bobcat to clear her land, however, the kids did such a great job, she did not require one anymore! (Talk about some hard work!)
When you drive down the road in that area, doesn’t matter which road because every road looks the same, you see telephone poles knocked over, piles of sheet rock and wood where buildings used to be along with the furniture, and prized possessions on the street underneath what used to be homes. Our youth saw first hand how natural disasters can devastate a community. With so many businesses and homes destroyed, it was evident that Rockport and Holiday Beach had a long way to go. However, along with the rubble, our youth saw Texans of every color and background, pulling together to rebuild. It is an image few can forget. It really gives a new meaning to Texas Strong.
