Houston's Hobby Airport: Did It Survive Hurricane Harvey?

Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas, in 2017, leading to the closure of several airports, including William P. Hobby Airport. The airport was located in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains, with more than 20 inches of rainfall recorded in some areas. The flooding caused the cancellation of flights and the stranding of passengers and staff at the airport. While the terminal buildings remained dry, roads surrounding the airport were flooded, making access to and from the airport impossible.

The airport's runways were underwater

Hurricane Harvey caused William P. Hobby Airport in Houston to flood. On August 27, 2017, the airport woke up to rising waters that filled the city's horizon. The airfield was flooded, and the roads surrounding the airport were impassable. The flooding was caused by more than 4 feet of rain that fell on some parts of Houston, with some areas receiving more than 50 inches of rain over four days. The airport was forced to cancel all flights and close its roads to incoming and outgoing traffic.

The flooding at Hobby Airport was a result of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, as a Category 4 hurricane on August 25, 2017. The hurricane then stalled over Southeast Texas, dumping extreme rainfall on the region. This led to catastrophic flooding across the state, with water levels rising in Houston and surrounding areas.

The airport's operations were significantly impacted by the flooding. The airfield was underwater, making it unsafe for aircraft to take off or land. The roads leading to and from the airport were also flooded, cutting off access to the airport. This left passengers and staff stranded at the airport, as they were unable to leave due to the high water levels. Some passengers and employees were stranded for several days, and the airport provided resources such as food, water, and cots to ensure their comfort during this challenging time.

Maintenance staff worked tirelessly to repair leaks and maintain the airport's infrastructure. The airport operations team assisted airlines with their needs, and the custodial staff worked hard to keep the airport and restrooms clean, despite the challenging conditions. The administration manager, Sarah Freddie, played a crucial role in coordinating and keeping track of the total number of people at the airport, ensuring that everyone received the necessary support.

The flooding at Hobby Airport caused widespread disruption to travel plans. Airlines were forced to cancel thousands of flights, affecting passengers not only at Hobby Airport but also across the country. The airport closures also impacted evacuation efforts, as Houston is one of the nation's more densely populated areas. Airlines such as United, Southwest, and Delta offered travel vouchers and mileage incentives to customers affected by the cancellations.

Roads around the airport were flooded

Hurricane Harvey caused extensive damage to Houston and its surrounding areas, with rainfall measuring more than 20 inches in some parts of southeastern Texas. William P. Hobby Airport, located in Houston, was one of the airports severely impacted by the hurricane.

On August 27, 2017, as Hurricane Harvey battered Houston, roads surrounding Hobby Airport were flooded, causing significant disruption. The flooding made the roads impassable, cutting off access to off-site food options and other essential services. This resulted in a challenging situation for those stranded at the airport, including passengers and staff. The airport's administration manager, Sarah Freddie, played a crucial role in coordinating resources and ensuring that everyone at the airport had access to food, water, and cots during their unexpected extended stay.

The flooding on the roads around Hobby Airport was a direct consequence of the intense rainfall brought by Hurricane Harvey. The storm had stalled over Southeast Texas, resulting in unprecedented levels of precipitation. This led to catastrophic flooding across the region, with water levels rising steadily with each passing hour. The situation was further exacerbated by the airport's location, as it was situated in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains.

The impact of the flooded roads extended beyond travel disruptions. It also affected the airport's operations and the broader community. With roads impassable, the airport's maintenance staff faced challenges in accessing the facility to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance work. Additionally, the flooding prevented employees from leaving after their shifts, leading to extended stays and a sense of camaraderie among those stranded at the airport. The airport's operations team worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the airfield and assist airlines with their needs during this challenging period.

The flooding on the roads surrounding Hobby Airport was a significant factor in the airport's decision to suspend all commercial operations until further notice. This decision was made to ensure the safety and security of passengers, staff, and the general public. The airport's emergency operations center was activated, and essential Tier 1 employees worked around the clock to manage the crisis. The suspension of commercial flights affected thousands of travellers, with airlines cancelling numerous flights and offering travel vouchers to affected customers.

Flights were grounded

Hurricane Harvey caused William P. Hobby Airport to flood on 27 August 2017, leading to grounded flights. The airport was located in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains, with more than 4 feet of rain in some parts of Houston. The floodwaters forced the airport to cancel flights and left some passengers and staff stranded.

The airport's administration manager, Sarah Freddie, coordinated and kept track of the total number of people at the airport. She also ensured that the airport provided resources like food, water, and cots to those who were stranded.

The flooding of the runways and surrounding roads made access to the airport impossible. The airport's operations team maintained the integrity of the airfield and assisted airlines with their needs. The custodial staff was responsible for keeping the airport and restrooms clean to ensure passenger comfort despite the challenging circumstances.

The impact of the flooding was significant, with the airport closures forcing airlines like United, Southwest, and Delta to cancel thousands of flights. The damage caused by Hurricane Harvey resulted in crippling Houston airport closures, affecting one of the nation's more densely populated areas.

Some passengers and staff were stranded

Hurricane Harvey caused William P. Hobby Airport to flood, leaving some passengers and staff stranded. The flooding was a result of the more than 4 feet of rain that fell in some parts of the Houston area. The airport's Division Manager for Operations, Ross Williamson, recalled that the water on the airfield was "absolutely horrible". The high water not only flooded the airfield but also the roads surrounding the airport, making it impossible for those stranded to leave.

Williamson himself was stranded at the airport for six days. He recounted that the experience brought the team at Hobby together, turning strangers into family. The maintenance staff worked tirelessly to repair leaks and keep the airport facility in top shape. The airport operations team maintained the integrity of the airfield and assisted the airlines with their needs. The custodial staff also played a crucial role in ensuring the airport and restrooms remained clean, providing a sense of comfort to those stranded.

The administration manager at Hobby, Sarah Freddie, took on the challenging task of coordinating and keeping track of the total number of people at the airport. She ensured that everyone had access to essential resources like food, water, and cots. When the roads blocked access to off-site food options, she collaborated with Robert Riedle, Director of Operations for 4 Families, who operated the restaurants at Hobby Airport. Riedle provided food for the stranded passengers and employees from his restaurants, including Pappasitos, Pappadeaux, and Pappas Bar-B-Q.

Among those stranded were Phill and Leah Chapman, a couple on their way home to Dallas from a vacation in Belize. They landed in Houston for a brief layover, only to find themselves stuck at Hobby Airport as Harvey approached the coast. Their outgoing flight was delayed multiple times, and they eventually realised they were not going anywhere. Leah told weather.com that they had prepared to "hunker down to wait out the week in the airport." Fortunately, they were evacuated to Dallas along with other stranded passengers and staff when the flooding subsided and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave clearance for rescue flights.

The airport reopened on August 30 with limited service

Houston's William P. Hobby Airport was severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. The airport was forced to close due to flooding, with flights grounded and passengers and staff stranded. However, the airport demonstrated remarkable resilience, and on August 30, just three days after the storm hit, Hobby Airport reopened with limited service.

The reopening of the airport on August 30 marked a significant step in the recovery process. While the impact of the hurricane was far from over, with ongoing flooding and rainfall, the resumption of limited operations at Hobby Airport offered a glimmer of hope and a lifeline for the region. The airport's management and staff worked tirelessly to restore services, coordinating closely with airlines and emergency response teams.

In the days leading up to the reopening, the airport remained closed to commercial flights, with only humanitarian missions and first responder support allowed. The airport's emergency operations center was activated, with essential Tier 1 employees working around the clock to ensure the safety and security of those stranded and to maintain the airport's infrastructure. Maintenance staff played a crucial role in repairing leaks and ensuring the integrity of the airfield, while the custodial staff faced the challenging task of keeping the airport clean and comfortable for stranded passengers.

As the waters began to recede, the focus shifted to reopening the airport. On August 30, Hobby Airport announced that it would resume limited domestic airline passenger service at 4 pm. This decision came after careful consideration, as many roads surrounding the airport remained unsafe for travel. Passengers were urged to take their time and plan a safe route to and from the airport. The airport also emphasised that only those with confirmed scheduled flights should come to the airport.

The limited service that resumed on August 30 was just the beginning of a phased return to full operations. Hobby Airport hoped to be operating at full capacity by the weekend, and larger airlines planned to resume services by Saturday. This gradual approach allowed the airport to manage the complex logistics of resuming operations while ensuring the safety and efficiency of its services.

The reopening of Hobby Airport on August 30, 2017, with limited service, was a testament to the dedication and collaboration of the airport staff, emergency responders, and airlines. Their efforts played a crucial role in the recovery of the Houston community in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

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