Texas Medical Center: Proof that Mitigation Works!
In June 2001 Tropical Storm Allison stalled over the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.
Dumping over 20 inches of rain in parts of the city, the Texas Medical Center member
institutions sustained over $1.5 billion in damages due to flooded buildings and equipment which
caused the need to evacuate or relocate hundreds of patients.
Afterwards the City of Houston implemented storm water projects at a cost of $74 million.
FEMA provided $54 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
Improvements included the widening of bayous, installation of flood doors and various drainage
projects, including a box culvert pictured here before and during the event.
Lessons learned make continued care possible.
On January 9, 2012 the City of Houston experienced an intense rain event in which 6 inches fell
over the city, filling the bayous and testing the drainage mitigation actions. This event did not
interrupt services at the Texas Medical Center because of the mitigation actions taken after TS
Allison. As a result the Texas Medical Center member institutions continued to provide patient
and trauma care services.
“The Texas Medical Center is extremely grateful to the Texas Division of Emergency
Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for past and present support to
implement hazard mitigation projects,” Angela Smith, Emergency Preparedness and Planning
Support Specialist, Texas Medical Center.
Figure 1 – Box Culvert During Dry Conditions
Figure 2 – Flood Door
Figure 3 – Box Culvert at 1:30PM – 16-1/2 ft.