Ruth Haines
Houston has experienced severe flooding in recent years, with Hurricane Harvey in 2017 causing the Houston Airport System to go into emergency mode. The hurricane brought over 50 inches of rain in some areas, causing catastrophic flooding and resulting in the cancellation of flights and the closure of roads surrounding the airports. Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, was shut down to passenger flights for the first time, while Hobby Airport was located in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains. The impact of the flooding on the airports was significant, with stranded passengers and employees, flooded runways, and damaged infrastructure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of flooding | August 27, 2017 |
| Cause of flooding | Hurricane Harvey |
| Affected airports | Bush Airport, Hobby Airport, Ellington Airport |
| Impact | Roads near the airport became impassable, flights were cancelled, and some passengers and employees were stranded |
| Response | Houston Airport System went into "emergency mode", Ellington Airport supported military flight operations and rescue efforts |
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What You'll Learn
Houston Airport System goes into emergency mode
On August 27, 2017, Houston woke up to a city submerged in water. The water levels rose with every hour of rainfall, flooding the city's highways and residential areas. Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, had made landfall north of Corpus Christi, and stalled over Southeast Texas. The Houston Airport System was pushed into "emergency mode" to ensure the safety of passengers, employees, and the airport's infrastructure.
The airport's emergency operations center (EOC) was activated, with Tier 1 employees working tirelessly. All flights were cancelled, and the roads surrounding the airports were closed due to water accumulation. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), located in the path of the hurricane, experienced some of the heaviest rainfall. The airport's operations team maintained the airfield's integrity, assisted airlines, and ensured the comfort of stranded passengers.
Bush Airport, Houston's largest commercial airport, shut down passenger flights for the first time. It remained open for critical military and humanitarian flights. The impact of the hurricane on airport employees was significant, with some suffering total losses due to flooding, requiring months of recovery.
Ellington Airport played a crucial role in supporting military flight operations and facilitating rescue efforts. The staff worked to remove debris, ensure smooth military operations, and coordinate with rescue teams. Their dedication, along with the teamwork across the Houston Airport System, kept the airports functioning during this challenging period.
Overall, the Houston Airport System's response to the flooding crisis demonstrated the resilience and dedication of its staff. Their efforts ensured the safety and comfort of those affected and maintained the integrity of the airports' infrastructure, even under extreme weather conditions.
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![Historic Framed Print, [D.C. - Wash. - Airport - flood waters around hangar and airplanes. 1923], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41VUzOkH8iL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Roads near the airport become impassable
Houston has experienced flooding due to storms and hurricanes, including Tropical Storm Harvey in 2017. During this storm, Houston's William P. Hobby Airport was located in a portion of the hurricane's path that suffered some of the heaviest rains. The Houston Airport System went into "emergency mode" to ensure the safety of passengers and employees, and the airport's emergency operations center was activated. All flights were canceled, and the roadways surrounding the airport were closed due to water accumulation.
As the roads near the airport became impassable, access to off-site food options was eliminated. Robert Riedle, Director of Operations for 4 Families, which operates the restaurants at Hobby Airport, supplied food for the passengers and employees from some of his restaurants. Sarah Freddie, the administration manager at Hobby, was charged with coordinating and keeping track of the total number of people at the airport. She also assisted with food preparation, and passengers noted that they enjoyed the burgers.
The flooding in Houston during Tropical Storm Harvey caused significant disruptions to transportation and infrastructure. Roads surrounding the airport, such as the I-10 freeway, were flooded, making travel difficult and stranding both passengers and employees at the airport. Some employees at Bush Airport experienced total losses due to flooding, which took them months to recover from.
In addition to the flooding on the roads near the airport, the airfield at Hobby Airport was also flooded. Ross Williamson, the Division Manager for Operations at Hobby Airport, recalled that passengers and employees became stranded as the water rose. The maintenance staff worked to repair leaks and keep the airport facilities clean and comfortable for those who were stranded.
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Bush Airport, Houston's largest commercial airport, shuts down
Houston faced a challenging situation in August 2017 when Hurricane Harvey caused severe flooding across the city. The Houston Airport System activated its emergency operations center (EOC) as the city woke up to rising floodwaters. Bush Airport, Houston's largest commercial airport, was shut down to passenger flights for the first time ever.
The impact of the hurricane was far-reaching, with roads near the airport becoming impassable and water accumulating on the runways. The airport's staff worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees, as well as to maintain the airport's infrastructure. Some passengers and employees were stranded at the airport, and the flooding caused significant disruptions to travel plans.
Pete Fress, the Division Manager of Operations for Ellington Airport, recalled the challenging situation: "I knew that I had a job to do so that we could support the bigger picture in and around the Houston area." Ellington Airport played a critical role in supporting military flight operations during this time. It served as a hub for rescue and support operations, with Coast Guard helicopters, Army National Guard, and medical emergency helicopters operating from the airfield.
The flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey led to catastrophic consequences, with more than 100 deaths linked to the disaster. The storm stalled over Southeast Texas, resulting in over four feet of rain in some areas. The Houston Airport System's experience, teamwork, and passion were instrumental in keeping the airports operational during this challenging period. Despite the difficulties, the dedication of airport staff ensured that Houston's airports could support the relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane.
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American Airlines cancels 90 flights
Houston's Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in the city, was shut down to passenger flights in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Torrential rainfall and flooding in the city caused the cancellation of thousands of flights on United, Southwest, and other airlines. American Airlines was among the carriers affected, cancelling 90 mainline and regional flights on the Monday following the storm.
Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Friday, August 25, 2017, and continued to batter Texas over the weekend, causing widespread flooding. By Sunday, the National Weather Service reported over 16 inches of rain in Houston, doubling the city's previous record. The storm's impact on Houston's airports was significant, with roads to and from the airports flooded and aircraft unable to operate in the dangerous weather conditions.
Bush Airport, Hobby Airport, and Ellington Airport all experienced severe disruptions. Hobby Airport, the city's second-largest, ceased all commercial operations until further notice. Roads in and out of the airport were closed, and thousands of flights were cancelled. Bush Airport was also significantly impacted, with United Airlines cancelling flights to and from its hub there.
American Airlines was forced to cancel 90 flights due to the storm. However, the airline noted that its largest hub, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, was not impacted by Harvey. The carrier offered travel waivers to affected passengers, allowing them to reschedule their flights into September without incurring change fees. Other airlines, including Southwest, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, Alaska, and JetBlue, implemented similar measures to assist travellers.
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Houston Airport staff show experience, teamwork and passion
Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, caused catastrophic flooding in Houston in August 2017. The Houston Airport System went into "emergency mode" to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees, as well as to maintain the airport's infrastructure. The emergency operations center (EOC) was activated and staffed with essential Tier 1 employees who worked around the clock. All flights were canceled, and some passengers and employees were stranded at the airport.
The staff at Houston's airports showed great experience, teamwork, and passion in their response to the crisis. At the William P. Hobby Airport, Division Manager for Operations Ross Williamson recalled the challenging situation: "We had so much water on the airfield... it was absolutely horrible." Despite the difficulties, the maintenance staff worked diligently to repair leaks and maintain the integrity of the airfield. The custodial staff also played a crucial role in ensuring the airport and restrooms remained clean and comfortable for stranded passengers.
At Ellington Airport, Division Manager of Operations Pete Fress demonstrated his dedication by staying at the airfield to inspect the airport and coordinate rescue efforts. Fress and his team worked tirelessly to clear debris from the section of the runway that wasn't underwater, enabling search and rescue teams, supplies, and materials to arrive. Their efforts were instrumental in supporting the larger relief and rescue operations in the Houston area.
The impact of the flooding was deeply personal for many airport employees. Some staff at Bush Airport experienced total losses due to flooding in their homes, requiring months, if not years, to recover. Despite their own challenges, the Bush Airport team played a crucial role during the crisis. The airport served as a base for the Army National Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and a network of medical emergency helicopters. FEMA also set up medical tents to treat those impacted by the hurricane.
The Houston Airport staff's resilience, dedication, and collaboration during Hurricane Harvey exemplify their experience, teamwork, and passion. Their efforts were critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of those at the airport and contributed to the broader relief and recovery efforts in Houston.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in Houston, including at the William P. Hobby Airport, where passengers and employees were stranded due to high water. Bush Airport, the largest commercial airport in Houston, was also shut down to passenger flights, and Ellington Airport was flooded as well.
Yes, the Houston Airport System went into "emergency mode," and all flights were cancelled in and out of the airport. American Airlines cancelled 90 mainline and regional flights due to the storm.
The flooding made the roads near the airports impassable, disrupting access to off-site amenities and services. Employees were stranded and had to stay beyond their regular shifts, and maintenance staff worked to repair leaks and maintain the integrity of the airfields.
