Those who lived through last year’s Hurricane Harvey know full well the sense of dread that accompanies every hurricane season, which begins on June 1 and ends Nov. 30 every year.
A new book titled “Hurricane Season” by Joe Holley talks about the damage to Houston, the fourth largest city in the country. Harvey produced more than 50 inches of rain, caused the deaths of 88 people and created $298 billion in damages.
Through the heartfelt efforts of police, fire departments and volunteer forces, citizens were rescuing their neighbors by any means possible. The Houston citizens would not surrender to the forces of nature.
Three months after Harvey, while many residents had not returned to their flood-damaged homes, the Houston Astros gave us all something to cheer about. The team had made the American League playoffs.
Despite the devastating conditions in Houston, Astros fans lined up to support their team. The first playoff games were against the Boston Red Sox. The Astros emerged victorious. Their star line-up of George Springer and Jose Altuve played outstanding baseball.
The next round of playoffs was against the New York Yankees. The Astros won the first two games, lost three in New York and came home to Houston where they won the next two, putting the Astros in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Astros won the Series in seven games. George Springer won the Most valuable player in the Series after hitting five home runs. Jose Altuve won the most valuable player in the American league.
Pick up Holley’s book to read more about the year that made Houston proud.