Residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Harvey have ripped out the sheetrock, carpet and other materials damaged by the floods that left as much as 4 feet of water in buildings near Cypress and Spring creeks in late August.
Crews contracted by Harris County are making the first round of debris pickup—a process that will take the rest of the year—but cleaning up the trash is only part of the recovery process.
Some businesses affected by the flood, like Bike Barn on Cypresswood Drive, were closed for only several weeks. Others—such as Hasta la Pasta and Rao’s Bakery, located at Cypresswood Drive and Stuebner Airline Road—expect to open later this fall after repairing extensive damage.
Homeowners will have to make the call on whether to pursue a county buyout or use other funding sources to rebuild or relocate. Local nonprofit Northwest Assistance Ministries has also stepped up to offer resources. In October, the organization received a $250,000 grant for its hurricane relief programs.