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In this episode we talk to a special guest, meteorologist John Morales, three decades of service to the Hispanic community.
Important points
Harvey, which made landfall in Texas on August 25, 2017.
Harvey formed as a tropical wave in the Caribbean on August 17, 2017, temporarily weakening over the Yucatan before reorganizing in the Gulf of Mexico. Between August 24 and 25, thanks to exceptionally warm waters, it went from storm to Category 4 hurricane in less than 60 hours. It made landfall in Rockport, Texas, with winds of 215 km/h, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the US since 2005. The worst came later: the system was parked over Texas for days, dumping record rainfall of more than 1,500 mm. The toll was devastating: 103 deaths, $125 billion in damages and more than 300,000 homes destroyed.
Houston: city and community
The podcast also reviews the history and particularities of Houston, founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers and named after Sam Houston, a hero of Texas independence. Today it is the fourth most populous city in the U.S., with 2.3 million inhabitants and a unique cultural diversity: 45 % Hispanics, 23 % African Americans, 24 % whites and 7 % Asians. More than 145 languages are spoken in its metropolitan area, reflecting its global character. Its lack of urban zoning makes it an outlier in the U.S., and the Space Center has awarded it the title of "Space Capital of the World".
Harvey's human, social and urban impact
Harvey was not just wind, it was mostly water. An entire year's worth of rain fell in just a few days, something that Houston's infrastructure could not withstand. Thousands of rescues were performed by volunteers like the Cajun Navy, while shelters like the George R. Brown Convention Center took in 10,000 people. Latino communities were among the hardest hit, many without access to federal aid because of their immigration status or economic situation. Lack of zoning allowed construction in flood plains, which exacerbated the catastrophe. In addition, social media and technology played a vital role in saving lives.
After Harvey: climate change and lessons
The hurricane highlighted the challenges of living in a rapidly changing climate. Studies estimate that climate change increased Harvey's rainfall by at least 15 %, while warmer Gulf waters fueled its rapid intensification. The disaster left $125 billion in losses and exposed that only 15 % of affected households had flood insurance. Rebuilding was slow and uneven, with many families waiting for help years later. Houston implemented drainage improvements and emergency plans, but vulnerability persists. Harvey became a symbol of the need for resilient cities.
You can retrieve the other chapters of Atmospheric Turbulence here.
