Roberta Aguirre
Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Texas in 2017, caused Houston's two major airports, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport, to close to all commercial traffic. While Houston's airports did experience flooding, a viral image of planes floating on a flooded tarmac is a fake. The image, which was circulated on social media, is actually a mock-up of New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is the photo of flooded airplanes at Houston Airport real? | No, it is a fake image. |
| Date of the incident | August 2017 |
| Airports affected | George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P. Hobby Airport, Ellington Airport |
| Cause of flooding | Hurricane Harvey |
| Airport status during the incident | Closed to commercial traffic |
| Impact on airlines | Thousands of flight cancellations |
| Airport preparedness | Houston Airports have a hurricane preparedness plan |
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What You'll Learn
- A fake image of flooded Houston Airport circulated on social media in 2017
- The image was a mock-up of New York's LaGuardia Airport
- Hurricane Harvey caused Houston Airport to close to commercial traffic
- Houston Airport remained open for humanitarian missions and first responder support
- Houston Airport has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan
A fake image of flooded Houston Airport circulated on social media in 2017
Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in 2017, was the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in over 50 years. It brought life in Houston and its surrounding areas to a standstill, with roads and airports closed and hundreds of passengers stranded.
Amidst the chaos, a startling image began circulating on social media. It purportedly showed one of Houston's two major airports underwater, with Delta jetliners floating on a flooded tarmac. However, this image was soon revealed to be a fake. The original image was, in fact, from LaGuardia Airport in New York. The mock-up was created by Climate Central, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to researching and reporting on climate change. It was first published in 2013 to show what LaGuardia Airport could look like in the year 2100 with rising sea levels.
Several Twitter accounts shared the fake image, presenting it as an image taken at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport. The breaking news account @BreakingNLive tweeted: "BREAKING: Look at this amazing picture from Houston airport. The flooding planes. #Houston #HoustonFlood #Harvey."
Upon learning that the image was a forgery, @BreakingNLive sent out an update: "We have deleted a picture of an airport that was flooded. It was not Houston airport." AirLive.net, a site dedicated to aviation news, also cautioned its followers that the image was fake.
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The image was a mock-up of New York's LaGuardia Airport
Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall just north of Corpus Christi, Texas, in 2017, was the most powerful hurricane to hit the state in over 50 years. The storm brought life in Houston and its surrounding areas to a standstill, with roads and airports flooded, and hundreds of passengers stranded.
Amid this devastation, a startling image began circulating on social media. It purportedly showed one of Houston's two major airports underwater, with Delta jetliners floating on a flooded tarmac. However, this image was not a genuine depiction of Houston's airports during the hurricane. Instead, it was a mock-up of New York's LaGuardia Airport.
The image in question was created by Climate Central, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to researching and reporting on climate change. It was first published in a 2013 article on their website, ClimateCentral.org. The mock-up showed what LaGuardia Airport could look like in the future, specifically in 2100, if sea levels were to rise due to climate change. The simulation included a depiction of a 5-foot rise in sea levels, as well as a separate mock-up of the airport at high tide with a 12-foot rise in sea levels, a scenario estimated to be possible by 2100.
While the image of flooded planes was indeed a forgery, Houston's airports did experience significant flooding and disruption due to Hurricane Harvey. Both of Houston's major airports, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport, were closed to all commercial traffic during the hurricane. Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, shut down passenger flights for the first time since the events of 9/11. The flooding caused by Harvey led to the cancellation of thousands of flights, impacting one of the nation's most densely populated areas.
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Hurricane Harvey caused Houston Airport to close to commercial traffic
Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall in Texas on Friday, August 25, 2017, bringing life in Houston and the surrounding areas to a standstill. The hurricane dumped more than 4 feet of rain in some parts of the Houston area, causing massive flooding. As a result, Houston's two major airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, were forced to close to all commercial traffic.
Bush Intercontinental Airport, one of the nation's busiest airports, ceased all commercial aircraft operations but remained open for military and humanitarian flights. The airport became a lifeline for the region, serving as a temporary home to air assets for federal agencies such as the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and FEMA. Medical supplies were also routed through the airport, and injured civilians were evacuated to relief hospitals in bordering states.
William P. Hobby Airport, located in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains, was not as fortunate. The airport was flooded, stranding passengers and Houston Airports employees. Southwest Airlines, with permission from the FAA, airlifted about 500 customers out of Hobby Airport on Sunday. The airport remained closed to commercial traffic until at least Wednesday, with roadways in and out also shut down.
The flooding and resulting airport closures caused widespread flight cancellations, with airlines such as United, Southwest, Delta, American, Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit forced to cancel or change travel plans for thousands of passengers. The impact of Hurricane Harvey on Houston's airports was significant, with employees recalling the challenges of working through the historic storm and the "controlled chaos" that ensued.
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Houston Airport remained open for humanitarian missions and first responder support
Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall just north of Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 26, 2017. The hurricane stalled over Southeast Texas for days, causing devastating flooding in Houston and the surrounding areas. The storm resulted in more than 100 deaths and forced the closure of Houston's two major airports, Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport, to all commercial traffic.
Despite the widespread flooding and rain, Houston Airports remained open for humanitarian missions and first responder support. Bush Intercontinental Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, was shut down to passenger flights for the first time in its history. However, it remained operational for humanitarian flights and first responder support for hurricane recovery.
Similarly, William P. Hobby Airport was also impacted by the flooding, with high water inundating the airfield and surrounding roads, stranding passengers and employees. Southwest Airlines played a crucial role in evacuating stranded individuals from Hobby Airport, with three flights departing in the last hour to Dallas.
Ellington Airport, designated as the main airport in the Houston area for incoming support aircraft, witnessed Coast Guard helicopters touching down to deliver search and rescue teams, supplies, and materials. The dedication and teamwork of the Houston Airports employees were instrumental in keeping the airports operational during this challenging period. Their experience and passion contributed to the recovery efforts, ensuring the safety of passengers, staff, and facilities.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Houston Airports implemented comprehensive hurricane preparedness plans. Maintenance teams cleared debris from ditches and waterways, while operations personnel inspected airfields, removed potential hazards, and secured equipment. The collaboration between various divisions, including Parking, Information Technology, and Concessions, ensured a swift and coordinated response to restore airport operations.
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Houston Airport has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan
Houston Airport has a comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan in place to deal with storms and their aftermath. The plan is reviewed annually during a pre-hurricane seminar, and the airport authorities collaborate with other US airports that have endured hurricanes to learn from their experiences.
The hurricane preparedness plan includes facility hardening, with crews boarding up vulnerable areas to minimise wind damage. Essential vehicles and equipment are inspected and readied for deployment, and all critical operations can access backup power sources to ensure uninterrupted operation. Drainage systems are cleared, and pump stations are tested to ensure proper functionality in case of heavy rainfall. The airport grounds are regularly inspected and cleared of any debris that could become airborne in high winds.
Houston Airports Maintenance works closely with the City of Houston's Office of Emergency Management to ensure a safe, smart, and swift response during the hurricane season. They also coordinate with representatives from city, state, and federal government agencies and airlines to ensure that all travellers receive the best response.
The hurricane plan includes detailed communication and training for all employees, so they know their roles and responsibilities during a storm. This includes everyone from maintenance teams to first responders and medical personnel.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the image is a fake. It is a mock-up depicting New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
Yes, Houston's two major airports, Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport, were closed to all commercial traffic due to flooding.
Yes, the flooding caused thousands of flight cancellations and stranded passengers and employees at the airports.
Houston Airports initiated a series of plans and preparations, including clearing debris, inspecting airfields, and removing objects that could fly away. They also set up medical tents and organized operations with the Army National Guard and other agencies.
Yes, Houston Airports have also been impacted by Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Ike. They have implemented extensive hurricane preparedness plans to minimize the impact of these storms.
