
Hurricane Harvey Impact and Recovery
Hurricane Harvey Impact and Recovery
Impact by Branch Library
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.
Houston Strong: Photos from Hurricane Harvey and Recovery
Phases of Hurricane Recovery: Explore by Subject Heading
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.