Jordan Ellis
Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in 2017, caused flooding in Houston, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. MD Anderson Hospital, a cancer center, was affected by the storm. While the hospital did not sustain any flooding, the surrounding streets filled with water. The hospital staff demonstrated resilience and dedication by ensuring continuous patient care during and after the storm. Their commitment to patients and teamwork was exemplary, with many staff members leaving their homes and families to provide essential services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the hospital | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Location | Houston, Texas |
| Date of flooding | August 2017 |
| Cause of flooding | Hurricane Harvey |
| Impact | Floodwaters disrupted care and prevented patients and staff from reaching the hospital |
| Response | The hospital maintained continuous patient care throughout the storm, rescheduled appointments, and received support from the University of Texas Police Department |
| Flood protection measures | Installation of floodgates and relocation of critical equipment to higher floors |
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What You'll Learn
- MD Anderson Hospital remained operational during Hurricane Harvey
- MD Anderson Hospital's Main Building is vulnerable to flooding
- MD Anderson Hospital's staff showed teamwork and dedication during the storm
- Floodgates were installed to protect MD Anderson Hospital from flooding
- Hurricane Harvey caused flooding in Houston, Texas
MD Anderson Hospital remained operational during Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall near Rockport, Texas, on August 25, 2017, caused catastrophic flooding in the state. The storm dumped record-breaking amounts of rain—as much as 5 inches an hour in some places—and the Harris County Flood Control District estimates the county received 1 trillion gallons of water in just four days. The storm's outer bands continued to produce significant rain for areas east of the eye, causing devastating impacts in Houston.
Despite the flooding in Houston, MD Anderson Hospital remained operational during Hurricane Harvey. The hospital's workforce demonstrated remarkable teamwork and dedication, ensuring continuous patient care throughout the storm. About 1,000 employees remained on-site to provide consistent and quality care for more than 500 patients and their families. The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) played a crucial role in bringing vital supplies, staff, and blood donations to the hospital.
MD Anderson's resilience during Hurricane Harvey can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the hospital had learned valuable lessons from previous storms, such as Tropical Storm Allison, which caused significant damage to the Texas Medical Center in 2001. After Allison, the hospital made significant changes, including relocating critical equipment to higher floors and installing floodgates to protect the Main Building from high waters.
Additionally, MD Anderson's Incident Command Center played a crucial role in coordinating emergency operations and communications before and during the hurricane. The hospital also received support from the City of Houston, which helped transport vital staff and supplies through the floodwaters. The hospital's commitment to its patients and the hard work of its employees ensured that MD Anderson could continue providing essential care to those who needed it during this challenging time.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, MD Anderson's clinics resumed normal operations. The hospital's staff worked diligently to reschedule appointments and provide assistance to patients impacted by the storm. Their dedication to patient care and the resilience demonstrated during and after the hurricane showcase the hospital's commitment to serving those who entrust their lives to them.
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MD Anderson Hospital's Main Building is vulnerable to flooding
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused severe flooding in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas. The storm dropped record-breaking amounts of rain, with some areas receiving up to 5 inches of rain per hour. The Harris County Flood Control District estimated that the county received 1 trillion gallons of water in just four days. The storm caused extensive flooding in Houston, including in the Texas Medical Center, where MD Anderson Hospital is located.
MD Anderson Hospital took several measures to prepare for Hurricane Harvey and mitigate the risk of flooding. The hospital activated its Incident Command Center on August 23, bringing together leaders responsible for coordinating emergency operations and communications. Crews installed 75 to 79 floodgates to protect the hospital from high waters.
Despite these preparations, MD Anderson Hospital still faced challenges during and after the storm. The hospital had to reschedule appointments for many patients due to floodwaters making roads impassable. The Clinical and Translational Research Center, where dosing takes place, was also damaged by floodwater and rendered unusable. However, MD Anderson's Main Building did not sustain any flooding during Hurricane Harvey, thanks to the floodgates and the hard work of the Facilities department.
MD Anderson Hospital has a history of being vulnerable to flooding. In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison dumped 5 feet of water on the Texas Medical Center, causing nine nearby hospitals to flood or lose power. MD Anderson remained operational during Allison, but sustained damage to electrical systems and medical equipment in the basement of the Main Building, which houses the inpatient hospital and some outpatient clinics and research labs.
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MD Anderson Hospital's staff showed teamwork and dedication during the storm
MD Anderson Hospital in Houston did not sustain any flooding during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, thanks to the installation of 75 flood gates. However, the Texas Medical Center, where the hospital is located, filled with water, and the surrounding areas of Houston and the Gulf Coast were flooded.
MD Anderson Hospitals staff showed remarkable teamwork and dedication during the storm. A dedicated group of nearly 1,000 employees remained on-site for several days to ensure consistent and quality care for the more than 500 patients and their families inside the hospital. The staff included doctors, nurses, and other caregivers who worked tirelessly to maintain continuous patient care.
The situation was challenging, with high water and uncertain travel conditions. Many staff members left their own families and homes to come to work and provide care to the patients. Some staff members' homes were flooded, yet they still came to the hospital to help. Their commitment to their patients was commendable.
The staff's teamwork was evident in the way they stepped up to do whatever was necessary to maintain patient care. They worked together to provide meals for the patients and employees who remained at the hospital during the storm. They also rescheduled appointments and treatments for patients, ensuring that cancer patients, for example, received their radiation therapy on time to minimize the risk of their disease returning.
The University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) played a crucial role in bringing in vital supplies, staff, and blood donations. They used high-water vehicles to transport critical staff to the hospital. Marian Von-Maszewski, with her training and experience in crisis situations, was a key leader during the emergency, serving as an incident commander.
The storm may have caused physical damage, but it could not dampen the spirits of the MD Anderson Hospital staff. Their dedication and teamwork shone through, and they successfully ensured the well-being of their patients during a challenging time.
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Floodgates were installed to protect MD Anderson Hospital from flooding
Houston has experienced flooding due to heavy rainfall and hurricanes, which has impacted hospitals in the area. MD Anderson Hospital, a cancer center in Houston, has been affected by flooding in the past. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused record-breaking amounts of rainfall in Houston, leading to flooding across the city. MD Anderson Hospital was one of the hospitals that experienced flooding during this storm. However, the hospital has taken steps to protect itself from flooding, including the installation of floodgates.
MD Anderson Hospital is located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. The hospital is vulnerable to flooding, especially the Main Building, which is situated near Brays Bayou. In the past, the hospital has sustained damage during storms, such as Tropical Storm Allison, which caused flooding in the basement of the Main Building. To protect the hospital from future flooding events, floodgates have been installed.
In preparation for Hurricane Harvey, MD Anderson Hospital's Incident Command Center was activated on August 23, 2017. Crews began installing 75 to 79 floodgates before the hurricane made landfall. These floodgates played a crucial role in preventing floodwaters from entering the hospital's buildings during the storm. The floodgates were strategically placed to protect the most vulnerable areas of the hospital, including the Main Building, which houses the inpatient hospital, outpatient clinics, and research labs.
The installation of the floodgates at MD Anderson Hospital was a successful measure to protect the facility from flooding during Hurricane Harvey. While the streets around the Texas Medical Center filled with water, the hospital's buildings remained dry due to the floodgates and the efforts of the Facilities department. The floodgates were a critical component of the hospital's emergency preparedness plan, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and equipment during the storm.
Overall, the installation of floodgates at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston was an effective strategy to mitigate the impact of flooding on the facility. By installing floodgates and taking other preparatory measures, the hospital was able to maintain continuous patient care during Hurricane Harvey and protect its critical infrastructure. The lessons learned from previous storms, such as Tropical Storm Allison, helped MD Anderson strengthen its resilience to flooding and better serve its patients during times of crisis.
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Hurricane Harvey caused flooding in Houston, Texas
Hurricane Harvey caused catastrophic flooding in Houston, Texas, in August 2017. The hurricane first made landfall near Rockport, Texas, on August 25, as a Category 4 hurricane. It then stalled over the state, with its outer bands continuing to produce significant rainfall for areas east of the eye. The most devastating impact on Houston began on August 26, with record-breaking amounts of rainfall—as much as 5 inches per hour in some places. The Harris County Flood Control District estimated that the county received 1 trillion gallons of water in just four days.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was one of the many Houston institutions affected by the flooding. However, despite the rising floodwaters outside, MD Anderson maintained continuous patient care throughout the storm. A dedicated group of nearly 1,000 employees remained on-site to ensure consistent and quality care for over 500 patients and their families. The hospital's Main Building, the most vulnerable to flooding from the nearby Brays Bayou, was protected by 75 to 79 floodgates installed before the hurricane's landfall.
The hurricane disrupted some of the hospital's operations, including outpatient services, appointments, and surgeries. The Investigational Cancer Therapeutics Department had to reschedule appointments for all 200 patients when floodwaters made roads impassable and prevented patients and staff from reaching the hospital. The Clinical and Translational Research Center, where dosing takes place, was also damaged by floodwaters and rendered unusable.
MD Anderson's response to Hurricane Harvey demonstrated the power of teamwork and an unwavering commitment to patients. The hospital's workforce, led by key figures like Marian Von-Maszewski and supported by organizations like the University of Texas Police Department, ensured the uninterrupted care of patients during this challenging period.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, MD Anderson's clinics resumed normal operations. The hospital's staff worked diligently to reschedule appointments and serve those impacted by the storm. Additionally, the institution received over $30 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to enhance its resilience to flooding, including relocating critical equipment to higher floors and installing a concrete floodwall at the Main Building's first-floor facade.
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Frequently asked questions
No, MD Anderson Hospital did not flood during Hurricane Harvey. However, the hospital was impacted by the storm, and outpatient services, appointments, and surgeries were cancelled.
Yes, flooding disrupted care at Houston's Ben Taub Hospital, where floodwater and sewage got into the basement of the hospital's main building.
Yes, patients at MD Anderson Hospital faced risks due to the flooding in Houston. The hospital's radiation oncologists knew that patients who miss radiation therapy sessions during cancer treatment have an increased risk of their disease returning.
