Hurricane Harvey likely most expensive natural disaster in US history: AccuWeather

Marcus Yam | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images

Residential neighborhoods near the Interstate 10 sit in floodwater in the wake of Hurricane Harvey on August 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

In Houston, epic flooding caused tremendous water damage to houses, cars and businesses, many of which may not reopen, he pointed out.

“You also have damage to the supply chain across the country, which will increase the price of food, gasoline, heating oil.”

And with many areas still underwater, the hot climate also becomes a factor, Myers said.

“The temperature and humidity are still very high and will be for another month or so, which is going to create all kinds of disease and after-effects, jobs lost, health problems.”

When Harvey came ashore late Friday, it was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in a half-century. It has since been downgraded to a tropical depression.

At least 37 people were dead or feared dead in six counties including in and around Houston, according to local officials.

— Reuters contributed to this report.