The city of Houston has experienced three 500 year floods in the past three years. In order to better prepare the region for future storms, we must have a greater understanding of Hurricane Harvey’s impact to our health, housing, and quality of life. For example, Houston is home to over a dozen toxic superfund sites. During Harvey, many of these sites were flooded, releasing a range of harmful toxins and materials into surrounding neighborhoods. It’s impossible to measure the true impact of these sorts of instances without information on the experiences of residents in the storm’s aftermath.
The Hurricane Harvey registry, a collaboration between Rice University, the Environmental Defense Fund, Houston Health Department, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Chambers County, and Harris County Public Health, aims to examine Harvey’s long-term impact in order to drive public policy solutions, public health intervention, and natural disaster recovery strategies. We’re asking every adult in the region, whether you flooded or not, to visit HarveyRegistry.rice.edu to share your Harvey experience.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, one of the most destructive storms in our nation’s history, we came together to help rebuild and support each other through tough times. Though the region’s recovery efforts have been relatively successful, it’s important to recognize that Harvey has had an impact on the entire region in a number of ways that will continue to reverberate for time to come.
Environmental injustice, health disparities, conservation and climate change are some of the most challenging issues of our time that must be addressed. These issues were highlighted and exacerbated as a direct result of Hurricane Harvey. Though the storm has passed, we still have work to do.
Through the Hurricane Harvey Registry, residents will not only have an opportunity to share their own Harvey experience and uplift the voices of their community but they will also have an opportunity to shed light and lay the foundation for tangible solutions and meaningful change that will last for years to come.
Again, whether you flooded or not, please take 10 minutes of your time to visit HarveyRegistry.rice.edu to share your Harvey experience. Your responses will go a long way in helping lawmakers, community stakeholders and residents stay informed and better prepare for future storm events. Thank you.
By Justin Onwenu, Community Organizer on behalf of the Hurricane Harvey Registry