A world before Twitter and iPhones: What has changed since the last major hurricane hit the US?

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer

August 24,2017, 6:16:44PM,EDT

 

 

Hurricane Harvey will make landfall along the coast of Texas, potentially becoming the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005.
In 2005, smartphones and social media were not a part of mainstream culture. Storm reports and warnings were issued in traditional ways.
The most recent storm to make landfall as a major hurricane was Hurricane Wilma, doing so on October 24, 2005 in southern Florida.
A major hurricane is classified as a storm at or above Category 3 status. This means that sustained winds must be at least 111 mph.
RELATED:
Reports: Gulf Coast braces for Hurricane Harvey as it continues to strengthen
Torrential rain to evolve into flooding disaster as major Hurricane Harvey makes landfall over Texas
Preparing for the costliest weather disaster in the US: How to stay safe before, during and after a flood
"Impacts from Harvey will be tremendous in terms of displacement of people, property and economic loss and travel and freight disruptions," according to AccuWeather Vice President of Forecasting and Graphics Operations Marshall Moss.
If Harvey makes landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, it would become the first major hurricane to hit the United States in over 4,000 days.