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HURRICANE HARVEY

LAW CENTER COMMUNITY SERVICE

When Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast on Aug. 25, 2017, no one predicted the historic amount of rain and flooding that would
devastate the greater Houston area in its wake, leaving one-third of Harris County underwater. Damage estimates make Harvey the most
costly natural disaster in U.S. history.
Houstonians took to their boats and high-water vehicles to rescue those threatened by rising water. Volunteers and financial aid poured in
from across the country, and many members of the University of Houston Law Center community were among those who pitched in to do
what they could. While the Law Center quickly remediated water intrusion, a number of students, faculty and staff were affected with flooded
homes and cars and damaged personal property. Classes were canceled for 10 days as flood victims coped, and recovery began.
The following is a compilation of stories detailing some of the efforts undertaken by Law Center volunteers to help others as well as their own.

UH Law Center re-opens, reaches out to community in aftermath “My heart goes out to our whole community. It may take time for us to
of Hurricane Harvey recover some sense of normalcy. At times like these, it is important for us
University of Houston Law Center students and professors returned to to be kind and patient with each other and focus on the bonds that bring
the classroom on Sept. 5, but continued to help classmates and other flood us together. We are all Houstonians, and we all love UHLC,” Baynes added.
victims struggling to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. As students recounted their stories from the storm, many expressed
The Law Center sustained minor water intrusion during Hurricane gratitude for emerging from Harvey with minimal to no property damage.
Harvey, and the University of Houston was closed for one week. But not all students were as lucky. John Hebert, a first-year-student,
“I’m very happy to welcome students, faculty and staff back to the Law recounted how water breached his family’s home in Pasadena.
Center and provide nourishment to them,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes “It was chaos. We put all of our sheets and linens against the door because
during a back-to-school breakfast. “Classes have resumed without a hitch, water was already coming in through the back of the house,” he said. “We
and no mere hurricane is going to stop the Law Center’s mission. We are basically tried to make a barricade, but it seeped through the bottom.
here for all of you and welcome you with open arms.” The water eventually got about ankle-high. I’ve seen it flood in Pasadena
Students, faculty and staff were welcomed back with comfort food like before, but never like that.”
doughnuts and pizza. The Law Center established a Harvey Resource Page on its website.

24 Briefcase 2018