A Scientific View of Harvey, Houston, and the Long, Slow Ebbing Flow

The disaster realized by Harvey is particularly poignant for me: I grew up in Houston in the 70s and 80s. I saw rain come down in sheets for hours, our street flooded, and water reach the doorstep. I remember going to the movies in the rain, because we had cabin fever. (This was before home videos or streaming.) Often cars stalled out on a flooded road. Now, the aerial photos of highways turned to rivers and houses immersed is hard to believe.

In the search for information, I came across one article that might be useful in an environmental science class. Scientific American explains why the water lingers in the Houston area, why it takes so long to recede. Like my dad always used to say, "Houston is at sea level!" Take a look; let me know what classroom applications you imagine.

And here's some ways you can help out. Many of my projects benefit college students, and for some the financial aid packages for the year will no longer cover needs given the devastation, and trauma, at home. Some Texas universities taking donations: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, St. Edward's University, The University of Texas at Austin.