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Hurricane Harvey

PHOTOS: Picking Up The Pieces In Harvey’s Aftermath

Karen Walrond’s Memorial Bend home was heavily damaged by floodwaters. She reflects on her family’s experience and the lessons she’s learned in a video essay scheduled to air Friday on the PBS NewsHour.

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  • Karen Walrond's home was flooded with three feet of water. "We witnessed people who were using their gifts and their skills" to help others in need, she says.
    Karen Walrond's home was flooded with three feet of water. "We witnessed people who were using their gifts and their skills" to help others in need, she says.
  • Belongings from homes are piled along Walrond's street in Memorial Bend.
    Belongings from homes are piled along Walrond's street in Memorial Bend.
  • Every home on Walrond's street was damaged by floodwaters. Debris and possesions sit outside.
    Every home on Walrond's street was damaged by floodwaters. Debris and possesions sit outside.
  • Books were salvaged from a flooded home.
    Books were salvaged from a flooded home.
  • Walrond's home was flooded on the first day with six inches of water -- which eventually grew to three feet of water.
    Walrond's home was flooded on the first day with six inches of water -- which eventually grew to three feet of water.
  • Debris is piled outside in Harvey's aftermath.
    Debris is piled outside in Harvey's aftermath.
  • Possessions, debris -- and a stark message --are piled on Walrond's street, where all homes were damaged by floodwaters.
    Possessions, debris -- and a stark message --are piled on Walrond's street, where all homes were damaged by floodwaters.

Karen Walrond's house in Memorial Bend was heavily damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey. Houston Public Media met up with Walrond, a photographer, author and leadership coach, in front of her home to film her for the PBS NewsHour as she reflected on her family’s experiences in the hurricane, and on the nature of help in a crisis.

Walrond’s video essay will be presented as a NewsHour "In My Humble Opinion" segment this Friday, Sept. 15.

Walrond and her husband evacuated their daughter to safety before Harvey hit. In the aftermath, she said, “We witnessed people using their gifts and their skills” to help others.

Walrond’s home was flooded with three feet of water, and it was not the only one: Every home on Walrond’s street near Beltway 8 and Memorial has been damaged. The family has found another home to stay in while they deal with their destroyed house and property, sort out insurance details — and plot a course forward.

The PBS NewsHour airs on KUHT TV 8 at 6 p.m.

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