Hurricane Harvey Impact and Recovery

In August 2017, the Baldwin Boettcher, Barbara Bush, Katherine Tyra @ Bear Creek, and Kingwood branches suffered significant flooding during Hurricane Harvey, resulting in severe damage or loss to most of their collections, furnishings, and equipment. Recovery efforts spanned several months, with three branches successfully reopening in 2018. The Baldwin Boettcher branch, however, remained closed for over seven years, finally reopening in January 2025.

 

Explore the collections below to learn more about how the storm affected each branch.

Aldine Branch Library

Like many branches, staff at the Aldine Branch Library prepared the building before the storm hit by moving books up from the bottom shelves and covering as much as they could in plastic.  Hurricane Harvey did not damage the branch.

Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library

Closed in August 2017, fully reopened in January 2025, with reduced services from June 2018 to December 2024

The Baldwin Boettcher branch took on 3-5 feet of water during the storm.  This collection includes videos taken at the branch shortly after the water receded.  

Barbara Bush Branch Library

Closed August 2017 until May 2018

Water from Cypress Creek spilled into the first floor, damaging the children's room and lobby.  It would take nine months to repair the building and replace the collection in the children's room.

Katherine Tyra Branch Library @ Bear Creek

Closed August 2017 until April 2018

About nine inches of water entered the building, but the extreme heat and humidity caused even more significant damage. By the time staff could safely enter and evaluate the destruction, mold had begun growing on items untouched by the floodwaters.

Kingwood Branch Library

Closed August 2017 until May 2018

Floodwaters spilled into the first floor of the branch, damaging the children's room and lobby.  The adult and teen collections on the second floor were removed and stored while the building was repaired.  

South Houston Branch Library

Following Hurricane Harvey, the library became a hub for connection and resource sharing in many communities. At the South Houston Branch Library in early September 2017, food trucks provided free meals and water to residents.

After the storms cleared, the real work began—rebuilding the libraries and supporting the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey. Library staff reached out to local partners to stay connected with residents, while others focused on cleaning up the buildings and bringing in new books and furniture. And when the libraries reopened, they were met with excitement and joy, symbolizing a fresh start for the community.

Damage to Libraries

View images and videos of damaged materials, furniture, and buildings.

Disaster Relief and Recovery

Explore images of staff working to rescue materials, repairing and restoring the buildings, and installing the new collections as the buildings prepare to reopen.

Outreach During Closures

Branches partnered with local restaurants, churches, and businesses to offer library services while their buildings were closed.

Opening Day Collections

Administration staff ordered new books to replace those lost in the floodwaters. As the branch prepared to reopen, the books were shipped to the branch, where staff shelved and arranged them.

Reopenings

See images and videos of the branches reopening after all repairs were made.