Views of the Neighborhood – Harvey Update

~ John W. Howell

I did say I would not be showing the damage of Hurricane Harvey since I felt it too personal. Today I am giving you a view of those places that will in all probability not be repaired and the owners have gone elsewhere.

Harvey

This home is vacant. Note the color of the sky. That is a haze produced by the blowing sands of the Sahara desert in Africa.

This is a shot of the house that I took before Harvey. I was highlighting the rope on the fence. You can get a good idea of the normal sky color too.

Here are some homes that are being moved to a different location.

I did not realize there are businesses that will buy your home or RV and take it away.

Here is a lot that no longer has a house.

Another house ready to be moved. I was touched by the flag left by the owners.

Here is another lot where the house has been relocated. The car is still there.

This will most likely be torn down.

This was a popular restaurant in Port Aransas. Not sure it will open again.

On a positive note, this convenience store and gas station was totally destroyed but is being rebuilt.

64 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Harvey Update”

  2. I can understand the damage still being around. The island I was born on went through Hurricane Sandy and they still are not 100% repaired. Sad to see landmarks disappear.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Thank you for sharing, John. Disasters, such as Harvey, take with them a bit of the heart of a place. Folks like you restore the balance and offer hope. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Thanks for sharing these photos with us, John. It makes you wonder about people…why some decide to abandon their property and others have the strength to rebuilt. I suppose everyone has different circumstances. Strange that the car was left behind. Happy Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Watching restoration is like watching a child grow. You don’t notice it from day to day, but when Grandma comes to visit and says, “Oh, my! Look how tall you are now!” you suddenly take a look and see how things have changed. It’s been so touching to watch Galveston rebuild from Ike. Port A will rebuild, too — you’re just at a different stage of the process. Thanks for giving us a look.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. It’s hard to fathom. I live in an area that really has no natural disasters. What we call a flood is a joke in other places. We get wildfires, but it’s pretty safe living in town. Your pictures are important. We see the immediate newscasts, then the cameras move on. It’s important to know even the cleanup takes years.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. It’s very sad to see homes totally destroyed or damaged beyond repair. I can only imagine the reasons people have for moving or deciding not to rebuild. Following you through the process of repairing the damage you had, shows that it’s not easy. And, despite having insurance, I’m sure it’s not inexpensive.

    I wish them all well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We have lost about all the houses that are not built to withstand a Cat 4. The newer ones can so I would say the storms inprove the survability of the buildings. Unfortunately the historic ones take the biggest hit. Thanks, Greg.

      Like

  13. These pictures give a good idea of the ferocity of the storm. I suppose the moves had something to do with insurance and fear of another storm. At least there’s some rebuilding. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The moves were a matter of economics. The city requires condemmed buildings to be torn down or moved. By moving, the owner gets a few dollars and doesn’t have to pay for demolation. The houses have to be in good enough shape for the mover to be able to referb and sell them. Thanks, Suzanne.

      Like

  17. Your photos give a face to the destruction some people have and are still experiencing. I understand why you kept them private for a while. But as we are learning that Puerto Ricans are still directly affected by the consequences of Irma and Maria, it’s important to show the reality. Like you, I find the flag very touching. As a French-born person this is something I noticed when I moved to the U.S. The fact that poor people or people affected by tragedy could remain so patriotic was something I had never witnessed in my native France. Best to you and your town, which must be so lovely when the sky is blue and the ocean and wind peaceful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for your feeling comment, Evelyne. We Americans tend to fall back to the things we love in times of trouble. Our country is one of them.

      Like

  22. So sad to see those damages buildings and the glimpses of property still inside some of them, John. What will happen to that first home that has been abandoned now that the owners have left? Will it simply be left like that or will they perhaps sell it and take what they can?
    We sometimes get the sands of the Sahara desert in our skies, too. It usually results in the sky turning a burnt orange colour. It’s quite creepy when it happens.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. The number of people’s lives affected is heartbreaking. A few years ago we had a terrible flood that destroyed so many homes. There’s one home in particular that affects me every time I see it even though it’s not the worst by far. The whole front of the house is washed out, the laundry room exposed but intact. It’s a brutal reminder that people’s lives were forever changed.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.