Tuesday, September 14, 2021: 9:13 a.m.
Update on Texas Children’s response as Nicholas downgraded to tropical storm
As Tropical Storm Nicholas moves through southeast Texas, most of the worst winds and threats remain to the northeast and east of Houston. Although we are seeing some significant power outages across the area, daylight is bringing improved conditions, which we expect to continue throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Our eyes are now on east Texas, where we are monitoring conditions for our TCP practices and TCHP membership.
Given these conditions, members of our ride-out team are free to return home as driving conditions improve and it is safe for them to commute. For those who have concerns about traveling, they may stay on-site during their off-shift and will receive Off-Shift Pay. Please also see the following updates.
- Emergency Pay Practices for Texas Children’s will end at 7 p.m. today.
- Any team member working remotely today must use the ATK Telecommute Code for accurate remote tracking.
- Texas Children’s will resume normal operations tomorrow.
Your safety remains our first priority, so all team members are advised to remain cautious when traveling the roadways and plan for additional time to avoid flooded areas, debris and downed power lines. If you were planning to work remotely but are unable to due to power outages or other circumstances, please let your leader know your status when possible.
Thank you to everyone who supported our response to this storm. Your resilience and dedication are extremely appreciated. This will be our last planned global update for this event. Please continue to be safe.
Tabitha Rice
Administrator on Call
Mark Mullarkey
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience
Tuesday, September 14, 2021: 7:03 a.m.
Update on Hurricane Nicholas response
As Hurricane Nicholas moves through southeast Texas, the forecast is looking increasingly favorable to produce lower rain totals than were previously projected. Although this system is still continuing to move through our area, bringing rain, wind and some power outages across southeast Texas, most of the activity is taking place to the east of our three hospital campuses.
At this time, officials are asking individuals to stay off the roads due to debris and downed power lines, and we are encouraging our team members to stay put until it is safe to travel. As the roads are assessed and cleared, we expect driving conditions to improve this morning.
Texas Children’s leadership is also monitoring conditions in far east Texas (Baytown and Beaumont) and potential impacts to our TCP practices and TCHP membership.
Later this morning, we will provide an update to inform on the status of our emergency response. Please stay tuned for this additional update and thank you for your efforts.
Tabitha Rice
Administrator on Call
Mark Mullarkey
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience
Monday, September 13, 2021: 4:40 p.m.
Ride-Out Information for Tropical Storm Nicholas
Texas Children’s is activating Ride-Out and Emergency Pay Practices effective from 7 p.m. today through 7 p.m. tomorrow, though this may be extended depending on the impacts of Tropical Storm Nicholas. If you will be serving on ride-out, please take a moment to review the following information.
Additionally, for this event we will be managing our check in process at the Medical Center through a new app to more efficiently arrange sleeping and shower accommodations. Please click here to check in. For information on other locations, and other details, please see below.
Parking
- Shuttle buses will continue to run their regular routes until further notice.
- Beginning at 5 p.m., Garages 12, 16, and 21 will be opened for all staff and visitors at no charge.
- Those on ride-out at The Woodlands and West Campus should park as they would during a regular shift.
Employee Screening
- All team members reporting for ride-out should complete employee screening upon arrival. You will then be required to complete screening again each day you are on campus.
Check-In
- Main Campus. Please click here to check in.
- West Campus. Please proceed to the 1st floor conference center to check-in and receive your sleeping assignment.
- Woodlands Campus. Please connect with your leader to receive your sleeping assignment.
Food Options
- The Fresh Bistro at the Pavilion for Women will remain open tonight through 10 p.m., and be open Tuesday from 6 – 10 a.m., 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. The Coffee Corner at the Pavilion will maintain regular hours of operation Monday and Wednesday, and be closed on Tuesday.
- The Food Court at Mark Wallace Tower will be closed Tuesday and will reopen for regular hours on Wednesday.
- The Treehouse Café at The Woodlands campus will operate under normal hours of operations, from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Coffee Shop will be open from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Dot’s Kitchen at West Campus will remain open under normal hours of operations, from 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Coffee Shop will be open from 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Gift Shop Hours
Monday, September 13, 2021
- West Tower: 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- All others closed at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
- Abercrombie, Mark Wallace Tower, Pavilion: Closed
- West Tower: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- West Campus: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Woodlands: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For any other questions or assistance with ride-out, please consult your leader. To sign up for emergency text alerts, follow these instructions.
We thank our ride-out team members for stepping up to play such an important role in ensuring Texas Children’s can deliver exceptional care to our patients and their families throughout Tropical Storm Nicholas. Your commitment and contributions are appreciated.
Tabitha Rice
Administrator on Call
Mark Mullarkey
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience
Monday, September 13, 2021: 12:24 p.m.
Ride-Out beginning at 7 p.m. in response to Tropical Storm Nicholas
The National Weather Service is now reporting that Tropical Storm Nicholas will likely make landfall along the Texas coast this evening, then move slowly northeast into Southeast Texas. The Houston area could begin to see showers today, with the heaviest rainfall expected between a 36-hour period from tonight into Wednesday morning. As much as 10-20 inches of rain are expected to fall in some locations over the next few days, with 4-8 inches predicted for Harris County.
In response to this storm, Texas Children’s will be activating Ride-Out and Emergency Pay Practices effective at 7 p.m. today through 7 p.m. tomorrow, though this may be extended. Additionally, we will be making sleep arrangements for employees at our three main campuses, with cots available this afternoon.
Although we are initiating ride-out, we would like to restrict the number of persons sleeping on-site during this event to only those who are absolutely required. Guidance will be provided to leaders to communicate to our employees. In general, if you are able to work remotely, please plan to do so on Tuesday. Additionally, we anticipate that the majority of our outpatient appointments will move to virtual on Tuesday. Guidance for your location will be provided by your leader.
Staff who are not able to work remotely and are not required to be on site to support operations will not be required to take PTO on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. They will be paid for the hours that they were scheduled for that day. Please see additional details related to our response.
On-site Team Members
- If you are working tonight, please use caution when navigating roadways and plan for additional travel time to make detours or adjust your route if necessary.
- Emergency Pay will be in effect beginning at 7 p.m. today to provide extra compensation for Texas Children’s employees working on site. For more information on Emergency Pay, click here.
- Employees on-site are required to complete screening every 24 hours.
Remote Workers
- All exempt and non-exempt employees working remotely must use the ATK Telecommute Code for accurate remote tracking.
- Stay in communication with your leader about your status.
- To sign up for emergency text alerts, follow these instructions.
We will continue to meet throughout the day and for the duration of Tropical Storm Nicholas and communicate updates to you as information becomes available.
Thank you for your attention and commitment to always operating safely.
Tabitha Rice
Administrator on Call
Mark Mullarkey
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience
Sunday, September 12, 2021: 12:31 p.m.
Tropical Storm Nicholas expected to impact southeast Texas through Wednesday
The latest forecast from the National Weather Service is predicting Tropical Storm Nicholas to continue forming in the Gulf of Mexico over the next 24-36 hours before making landfall along the south Texas coastline Monday evening. From there, the system is expected to move northward and into the Houston area beginning Monday night and into Tuesday.
Although there is variability in the current forecast, rainfall totals are expected to be about 4-8 inches throughout Harris County beginning Monday and lasting through Wednesday with coastal areas expected to see higher rainfall totals. During this event, we are anticipating a heightened risk of flash flooding, although serious flooding is not currently expected (though subject to change). No impacts are currently expected for Austin, and we are continuing to engage with leaders in McAllen, Tyler and Beaumont to assess potential impacts to these areas.
As of right now, Texas Children’s is maintaining normal operations. However, we advise all team members and medical staff to be alert for impacts beginning tomorrow evening, and to be ready in the event we are required to follow emergency procedures. Please review the following:
- If you are scheduled to work at any time on Monday, please come to work with a disaster bag ready should the forecast worsen over the course of day and into Tuesday.
- If you are scheduled to work Monday evening, please monitor local weather and street conditions, and prepare for a longer commute. Although we do not currently anticipate significant flooding, there is a possibility of heavy rains, which may impact traffic.
- No matter the case, always use caution when navigating the roadways. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
- To sign up for emergency text alerts, follow these instructions.
Texas Children’s leadership and Department of Organizational Resilience will continue to closely monitor this storm (with meetings scheduled for later this afternoon and tomorrow morning) and communicate updates as information becomes available. Thank you for your attention and always operating safely.
Jill Pearsall
Administrator on Call
Michelle Riley-Brown
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience
Friday, September 10, 2021: 2:45 p.m.
Potential heavy rainfall event forecasted for late Sunday into midweek
Texas Children’s leadership and the Organizational Resilience team are closely monitoring a potential heavy rainfall event that could impact Southeast Texas late Sunday and continue into midweek. The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston is currently forecasting early Monday through Tuesday as the time period for the heaviest rain.
Though Houston, Austin and surrounding areas are in the precipitation forecast, the area south of the Columbus-Livingston line and locations closer to the coast are projected to be at highest risk for the most significant rain accumulations. Flash flooding, some river flooding and heavy downpours in very short time periods are among the possible threats.
As your safety is our first priority and this heavy rain could arrive over the weekend, we advise our team members and medical staff to prepare now for inclement weather.
- Gather all necessary equipment and resources should you be required to work remotely.
- If you are on a ride-out team or presenting for duty as part of our medical staff, please be ready for rapid activation in the event we must stand up emergency practices. Have your disaster bag ready.
- To sign up for emergency text message alerts, follow these instructions.
Additional emergency weather updates will be communicated as needed, including any information for those on a ride-out team or presenting for duty.
Thank you for your attention and always operating safely.
Jill Pearsall
Administrator on Call
Michelle Riley-Brown
EVP on Call
Melissa Murrah
VP, Organizational Resilience