Bush And Hobby Airports: Flooded Or Not?

Houston's Bush and Hobby airports have experienced flooding in the past, notably during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which saw the airports close due to flooding of runways and surrounding roads. The airports reopened with limited service on August 30, with the hope to be operating fully by the weekend. Since then, the airports have experienced further flooding and disruptions due to weather events, including Tropical Depression Imelda in 2019, which saw Bush Airport temporarily ground all flights.

Hurricane Harvey caused the flooding of Bush and Hobby airports in 2017

Hurricane Harvey caused the flooding of Houston's Bush and Hobby airports in 2017. The storm dumped more than 4 feet of rain in some parts of the Houston area, leading to catastrophic flooding. Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, was shut down to passenger flights for the first time in its history. The airport's emergency operations center was activated and staffed with essential employees who worked around the clock. All flights were canceled, and the roadways surrounding the airports were closed due to water accumulation.

Hobby Airport, Houston's second-largest airport, also experienced significant flooding. Flights were canceled, and roads, including the IB/OB roads surrounding the airport, were flooded. This left some passengers and employees stranded at the airport, and maintenance staff worked hard to repair leaks and keep the airport facility in top shape. Both airports resumed limited flight operations on August 30, with full service expected to return by the weekend.

The impact of the flooding on the airports was profound. Hundreds of flights were canceled, stranding hundreds of passengers. The airports became lifelines for the region, with Bush Airport serving as a temporary home to air assets for various federal agencies, including the U.S. Air Force and FEMA. Medical supplies were routed through the airports, and aerial evacuation operations landed at Bush for refueling and to transport injured civilians to relief hospitals.

The teamwork and dedication of the airport staff were crucial in managing the crisis. They worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees, maintain the airport infrastructure, and provide resources such as food, water, and cots to those stranded. Their efforts demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of the Houston community in the face of a natural disaster.

Bush and Hobby airports were closed due to flooding

Houston's Bush and Hobby airports were closed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The hurricane brought unprecedented rainfall to the region, with some areas receiving more than 50 inches of rain in just four days. This led to catastrophic flooding, including at the two airports.

Bush Airport, officially known as George Bush Intercontinental Airport, was forced to shut down all commercial aircraft operations during the hurricane. The airport remained open for military and humanitarian flights, serving as a lifeline for the region. The airport's emergency operations center was activated and staffed around the clock to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees.

Hobby Airport, officially named William P. Hobby Airport, was also located in the path of the hurricane and experienced some of the heaviest rains. The flooding at the airport left some passengers stranded and employees unable to leave after their shifts. The airport's operations team worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the airfield and assist airlines.

Both airports resumed limited flight operations on August 30, 2017, as floodwaters slowly receded. However, they operated with only limited service for several days. The airports advised passengers to contact their airlines directly for rescheduling and fee waivers.

In September 2019, Bush Airport temporarily grounded all flights again due to Tropical Depression Imelda. The airport's roadways were flooded, and flights were delayed or diverted. However, the airport quickly resumed operations as the floodwaters receded.

Roads surrounding the airports were flooded

Houston's Bush and Hobby airports have a history of flooding during severe weather events. In August 2017, both airports were closed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, with roads surrounding the airports left impassable. The flooding resulted in the suspension of all commercial flight operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The roads leading to and from the airports were flooded, including the Sam Houston Tollway, Beltway 8, and Aldine Westfield, located near the George H.W. Bush Intercontinental Airport. The high water levels on these roads made travel unsafe and challenging, impacting the accessibility of the airports.

The flooding also affected the roads near Hobby Airport, with reports of high water on the inbound and outbound routes. This situation led to the closure of all commercial operations at the airport, leaving passengers and staff stranded within the terminal.

In September 2019, severe rainfall from Tropical Depression Imelda once again caused disruptions at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The airport temporarily grounded all flights, and the surrounding roadways were flooded, impacting travel to and from the airport.

The impact of flooding on the roads surrounding Bush and Hobby airports has consistently led to challenges for travellers and staff, with limited accessibility and stranded passengers. The airports have had to issue advisories, urging passengers to exercise caution when travelling to the airports during these flooding events.

Bush Airport became a civil-military operations centre during the flooding

Houston's Bush and Hobby airports were closed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, ceased all commercial aircraft operations but remained open for military and humanitarian flights. During this time, the airport became a civil-military operations centre (CMOC), serving as a temporary home for the air assets of various federal agencies, including the US Air Force, Air National Guard, US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and FEMA.

Bush Airport's role as a CMOC was critical in facilitating the region's recovery from the hurricane. The airport served as a lifeline, routing medical supplies and providing a refuelling stop for aerial evacuation operations. In several instances, injured civilians were transported to relief hospitals in bordering states. The airport's general manager, Ted Kitchens, expressed pride in his staff's professionalism and creativity in addressing the operational challenges posed by the storm.

The flooding in Houston caused by Hurricane Harvey was catastrophic, with water levels rising with each hour of rainfall. This led to the first-ever temporary closure of Bush Airport and stranded hundreds of passengers and employees at Hobby Airport. The roads surrounding both airports were also flooded, further complicating the situation.

The Houston Airport System activated its emergency operations centre (EOC) and worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of those affected. Maintenance staff played a crucial role in keeping the airport facilities in top shape, while the airport operations team maintained the integrity of the airfield and assisted airlines. The collaboration and teamwork demonstrated by the airport staff during this challenging time were exemplary, reflecting their dedication and resilience in the face of adversity.

Overall, Bush Airport's transformation into a civil-military operations centre played a vital role in the region's recovery from Hurricane Harvey. The airport served as a hub for federal agencies, facilitating search and rescue missions and providing much-needed support to the affected communities. The experience, teamwork, and passion of the airport staff were instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by the flooding and ensuring the safety and well-being of those impacted by the natural disaster.

Flooding caused flight cancellations and delays at Bush and Hobby airports

Houston's Bush and Hobby airports experienced flooding and flight disruptions due to severe weather events, most notably Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Hurricane Harvey in 2017

Hurricane Harvey caused extensive flooding in Houston, including at the city's two major airports, Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Both airports were forced to suspend all commercial flight operations due to flooded runways and surrounding roads. The flooding led to flight cancellations and delays, with only limited services resuming on August 30, several days after the hurricane made landfall. It took time for the airports to return to full service, and airlines such as Southwest and United operated limited schedules during this period.

Tropical Depression Imelda in 2019

In September 2019, severe rainfall from Tropical Depression Imelda caused disruptions at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The airport temporarily grounded all flights, resulting in delays and cancellations. While Hobby Airport remained operational, departures were delayed, and arrivals were not taking place initially. However, as floodwaters receded on surrounding roadways, both inbound and outbound flights resumed at Hobby Airport.

Stormy Weather in May 2024

In May 2024, severe weather conditions in Houston caused potential flight cancellations and delays at both Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport. The airports advised travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Bush Intercontinental Airport specifically warned travellers to expect flight delays and interruptions and recommended the use of cellphone lots to mitigate terminal congestion during pickup.

Frequently asked questions