Students around the HPHS campus are working to bring much needed supplies to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. They need diapers and formula for the children of those affected. So far, we have almost filled the two boxes set out at the front of the school, and more boxes will most likely be set out for future efforts.

This hurricane affected many citizens in Texas and it caused an estimated 180 billion dollars in damage. That’s more than any other natural disaster in history except for the largest estimates of hurricane Katrina. Two feet of rain fell in the first 24 hours, forcing 39,000 people out of their homes and into shelters. Harvey was also the first hurricane to touch down in the United States since hurricane Wilma in 2005. The floods destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, led more than 30,000 people astray, and initiated more than 17,000 rescues by officials.

Many citizens of these areas had mandatory evacuations, and they got out safely when proper warning was issued. On the other end, some of them attempted to “ride out” the storm, with varying results. In Rockport, entire blocks were leveled, and the gymnasium of Rockport-Fulton High School was left without walls. All of Victoria was left without water or power. Natural gas production declined by about 25.71 percent, and this caused a sort of crisis in Texas over the availability and prices of oil/gas. This spike brought the highest gas prices in two years for Texas. Everyone needs help in Texas and we need to do our part to help those in need.