Hurricane Harvey, a significant weather event in August 2017, primarily impacted Texas and Louisiana. It became one of the costliest tropical cyclones in U.S. history, causing widespread damage.
Understanding Hurricane Harvey’s Peak Wind Speeds
Hurricane Harvey made its initial landfall on San Jose Island, Texas, near Rockport, on August 25, 2017. At landfall, its peak sustained winds reached 130 miles per hour (210 kilometers per hour). Sustained winds are measured as a one-minute average, while gusts are brief, stronger bursts.
Measurements indicated even higher wind gusts in specific locations. The Aransas County Airport in Rockport recorded a peak gust of 145 miles per hour, with another gust of 140 miles per hour. A gust of 133 miles per hour was also reported near Port Aransas. These figures are based on reports from official sources, including the National Hurricane Center. Some observing stations in South Texas were disabled before recording the highest wind speeds, suggesting that observed values might be underestimated, particularly near the coast and within the eyewall.
Hurricane Harvey’s Saffir-Simpson Category
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHS) classifies hurricanes into five categories based on sustained wind speeds, estimating potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 or higher are considered “major hurricanes” due to their potential for extensive damage. The scale defines categories as follows:
Category 1: 74-95 mph
Category 2: 96-110 mph
Category 3: 111-129 mph
Category 4: 130-156 mph
Category 5: 157 mph or greater
Hurricane Harvey rapidly intensified before its first U.S. landfall, reaching Category 4 status with 130 mph sustained winds when it struck San Jose Island and the Rockport area. After this initial impact, Harvey made a second landfall near Holiday Beach, Texas, as a weakened Category 3 storm. It then rapidly weakened to a tropical storm, stalling over Texas for several days. Harvey later re-emerged over the Gulf of Mexico, re-strengthening slightly before its final landfall in southwestern Louisiana as a tropical storm.
Direct Wind Damage from Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey’s high wind speeds caused extensive direct damage, separate from the widespread flooding. Communities like Rockport and Fulton, directly impacted by the eyewall, suffered severe structural damage, including torn roofs and collapsing walls.
Homes and businesses in affected areas also sustained significant wind damage. The strong winds downed numerous power lines and poles, causing widespread electricity outages. The force of the wind also caused extensive destruction to trees, with many snapped or uprooted.