Stories from the Storm

Rice University professors Phil Bedient and Jim Blackburn view Hurricane Harvey as a pivotal event for Houston – a wake-up call to rethink our relationship with nature and our understanding of climate change; and an opportunity to implement changes that will make the region more resilient to future storms. Part 10 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Jennifer Blake’s daughter Briana has special needs and specialized medical equipment since a car accident left her paralyzed. As flood waters rose, Jennifer, her family and their caregiver Trey stayed on the move - keeping one step ahead of the rising water. Part 9 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

After Harvey, Pastor Tony Pittman organized a team of volunteers to distribute food and materials in the South Houston neighborhood around his church. As immediate needs were met, the Pastor’s mission evolved into one that helped families rebuild. Along the way, Pastor Tony met Pilo Deleon and his family, including an inspiring child who is fighting cancer. Part 8 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

During the storm, Houstonians came together to help one another and discovered the real meaning of community. When Erica Kang, a teacher at Houston’s Yes Prep Southeast campus, discovered that one of her students was still living in a home that had been flooded but not yet repaired, she invited the student’s entire family to move in with her and her fiancé. Part 7 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Immediately after the flood, people across Houston gathered to distribute food and supplies. Jonathan Beitler and the Midtown Kitchen Collective in Houston worked with Melissa Lee in Beaumont/Port Arthur to deliver meals to displaced people, first responders, and the National Guard throughout Southeast Texas. Part 6 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez were both new to their roles as the region’s top law enforcement officials when the storm hit. Without missing a beat, they worked as a team to keep order in the midst of destruction. They were instrumental in letting Houston’s large immigrant community know that help was available to all, including undocumented families. Part 5 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at... Read More

The managing directors of the Alley Theatre and Houston Grand Opera talk about going downtown after the storm and discovering the damage to Houston’s Theatre District; of their organizations’ difficult roads to recovery; and about proud moments of resilience along the way. Part 4 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Karen Walrond, her husband, and daughter live in the Memorial Bend neighborhood of Houston, near Buffalo Bayou. After evacuating and then returning to their home to begin clean up, Karen was nearly trapped by the “second wave” of flooding caused by the release of water from overfilled reservoirs. Part 3 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett talk about working together to respond to Harvey, how previous storms helped prepare them, and the lessons learned from Harvey. Part 2 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

The founder of Gallery Furniture, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, and store manager Anthony Lebedzinski tell the story of how Gallery Furniture came to be a place of refuge during Hurricane Harvey, including harrowing water rescues that helped bring displaced Houstonians to the store. Part 1 of 10-part series, "Stories from the Storm". More at houstonpublicmedia.org/harvey.

Hurricane Harvey was the nation’s worst rainstorm, forcing local and state leaders to rethink long-term flood mitigation plans and solutions. During and after the storm, Houstonians learn the value of a community and coming together in times of need.