The eye of Hurricane Beryl moved across Houston as a Category 1 storm on the morning on July 8, the same day that Houston Airports was ready to welcome more than 200,000 passengers to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). July 8 was expected to be the final day of a record-shattering July 4 holiday travel rush. Beryl had other plans.
Monday morning, Houston Airports paused operations as flight after flight was cancelled at Bush and Hobby airports.
The 28 airlines that fly in and out of Bush or Hobby airports quickly cancelled hundreds of flight in order to redirect planes and airline crews to cities outside of the storm’s path, and rightfully so. Beryl delivered wind gusts that toppled trees onto property, roads and powerlines. First responders linked several deaths to the hurricane that flooded main arteries of the 4th largest city in the U.S. Parts of Interstate 45 and Highway 288 sat underwater Monday as the community heeded advice from local leaders: hunker down and allow emergency teams to begin to access the damage so repairs could begin. A lack of cell service underscored the need for people to stay off the roads.
Houston Airports initiated a series of plans and preparations well before Beryl’s outer bands reached the Houston area. The airport system has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan. In the days ahead of the hurricane, Houston Airports Maintenance cleared debris from the ditches and waterways that surround the airports. The Operations team inspected airfields – removing objects that could fly away and tying down equipment and gear that needed to stay put.
Terminal Management, which leads Customer Service and Custodial teams ensure staff members had plans in place to safely report to work so terminals were staffed, stocked and sanitized. Concessions ensured partners had enough food and supplies to meet the needs of passengers, should be they be delayed at the airport. From Parking to Information Technology – which provides the crucial Wi-Fi connection – and every division in between, Houston Airports created a list and checked it twice, well ahead of the storm.
By 2 p.m. Beryl had moved out of Bush Airport and Houston Airports response teams moved in.
To restore operations, Houston Airports first accessed its facilities in order to make any necessary repairs. Fencelines were repaired. Water leaks were mopped up in the terminal. Escalators and elevators were evaluated and repaired. Damaged jet bridges were pulled from service and generator power filled the gaps caused by down powerlines.
Maintenance crews used heavy equipment to clear debris and fallen pine trees from Will Clayton Parkway at IAH, and Airport Boulevard and Telephone Road near HOU. Houston Police blocked the roads while the work was done.
By 4 p.m., TSA officers resumed their positions at Bush and Hobby airports in preparation for the first outbound flights since Beryl scheduled for later in the day.
Even as operations resume, Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports joins Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s continued call for all Houstonians to stay off the roads if possible. Travel waivers provide a great option for passengers to delay their need to come to the airport as travel challenges persist on Houston area roadways in the initial days after Hurricane Beryl. Airlines are offering travel waivers for flights between July 7 and July 9 – passengers are able to rebook at no additional cost.
First responders are still working to mitigate hazardous traffic conditions that pose a significant threat to both passengers and airport workers. Stalled vehicles may still need to be cleared from the road. Traffic signals and streetlights may not be operating. METRO Houston is offering limited service and resumed Route 102, the Express Bus to IAH on Tuesday, July 9.
Houston Airports is responsible for 190,000 jobs at Bush, Hobby and Ellington airports. Many of those employees were impacted by the hurricane. As a result, even Tier 1 airport workers deemed essential employees may face challenges making it to work. We ask passengers to extend patience and understanding as the airports may experience extended TSA and ticketing lines, limited concessions, amenities and essential services in the immediate days after Hurricane Beryl.
As Mayor Whitmire shared during a press conference Monday afternoon, as Houston begins to access damage across our area, we must work together as Texans to recover. Although the sun is now out and our skies are prime for flights, it’s imperative that Houstonians recognize the real risks associated with trying to get to the airport in the days following the hurricane.
Houston Airports is focused on the safety of its passengers, employees and facilities while remaining steadfast in recovery efforts and the full restoration of operations, which may take days and weeks to complete. #HoustonStrong