Heroes of Harvey - Jacquelynn & Jessica Smith

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Almost six months after one of the worst weather events in U.S. history, many Houston-area residents still have a long way to go before they feel whole again. As we continue to move forward, FOX 26 News is honoring the heroes of Harvey. 

Jacquelynn Smith and her mother, Jessica Smith, were both on the job when Hurricane Harvey struck the Houston area. Jacquelynn is a Cypress Creek Volunteer Fire Department firefighter, while Jessica is a Houston Police Department officer at the Westside station.

“She called me and says, 'I'm going out on the boats to get people out of our neighborhoods,'" said Jessica Smith. "I was so proud of her,”

Jacquelynn, a full-time college student, stayed on a boat in her own neighborhood for hours, rescuing people who were in the same situation as her.

By the time Officer Smith made it home, a mountain of soaked drywall and furniture was outside. She was hit with the realization that she didn’t have flood insurance and months of work were about to begin.

“I thought, I can’t afford contractors, so I started doing it myself," said Jessica. "A lot of YouTube videos.”

FOX 26 surprised the Smith with gifts to help the recovery move faster. Walmart gave them a $1,000 gift card. Exclusive Furniture provided them with a check for $1,500, and EcoKlense USA offered $15,000 in pressure washing and mold remediation services.