Tuesday, September 22, 2020: 3:15 p.m.
Storm expected to move out of the area tomorrow, continue exercising caution
As Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Beta and its impacts to the Greater Houston area and east Texas, it appears the storm will be moving out of the areas by early tomorrow.
Thunderstorms are expected this afternoon with the heaviest rainfall occurring throughout the Houston area and in the Medical Center this evening, continuing through about 1 am Wednesday. Significant rainfall is expected later this afternoon into the evening hours in the Beaumont area with heavy down pours continuing until around 7 am Wednesday.
Braes Bayou has receded significantly in the past few hours, and streets near the Medical Center and throughout Greater Houston are primarily clear, with only isolated issues along 288, 610 South and I-45 South. Priority 1 flood measures, including the closure of B2 Level flood doors, will remain in place through the evening as a precaution. Parking garages have not been impacted and remain accessible.
Operational impacts:
- Clinical staff at the hospital campuses will continue one-to-one hand-offs as needed this evening and in the morning. Sleep arrangements will be available for staff as a convenience, but no special pay practices will be activated.
- Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Specialty Care practices, and The Centers for Children and Women have made appropriate scheduling adjustments for tomorrow, which will continue to be communicated by leaders within those areas.
- With the storm expected to wind down tomorrow, we are proceeding with normal business operations across the Texas Children’s system, and we are continuing normal pay practices.
Please continue to exercise caution when navigating roadways, and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.
Also, be certain to stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website.
Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020: 6:00 a.m.
Heavy rainfall continues, minor operational impacts possible
Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management is continuing to closely monitor Tropical Storm Beta and its impacts to the Greater Houston area and east Texas.
Rainfall is expected to continue throughout the areas, remaining stationery over the Houston area for the next few hours and tracking eastward. Strong wind gusts and the threat of isolated tornadoes remain. A lull in the rainfall is expected from noon to around 5 pm today, with rainfall again increasing this evening, continuing throughout the night and into the early morning hours on Wednesday before moving to the east.
Overnight, Braes Bayou elevated significantly, but is not yet at critical levels. Texas Children’s has put Priority 1 flood measures in place, closing the B2 Level flood doors. However, all garages currently remain open and accessible.
Road conditions throughout the Greater Houston area are primarily clear, with the exception of some adverse road conditions along 288 and 45 South.
Operational impacts:
- Clinical staff at the hospital campuses will continue one-to-one hand-offs as needed. Understand there may be delays, and expect to remain in place until colleagues can safely arrive.
- Staff at Texas Children’s Pediatrics and Texas Children’s Specialty Care practices will receive additional information and direction from leaders in those areas regarding any expected opening delays or operational impacts to specific locations.
- Beyond those impacts, we are proceeding with normal business operations across the Texas Children’s system, and we are continuing normal pay practices.
We ask for your patience and agility as staff, employees and families navigate the weather conditions today, as some delays are likely.
Please continue to exercise caution when navigating roadways, and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.
Also, be certain to stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website.
Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.
Monday, September 21, 2020: 2:44 p.m.
Heavy rainfall expected to continue over next few days
Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management is continuing to closely monitor Tropical Storm Beta and its impacts to the Greater Houston area and east Texas.
Rainfall is expected to continue throughout the areas, with the heaviest bands of rain expected overnight and into the morning hours. Localized wind gusts are also expected with the possibility of weak, isolated tornados within the areas of strong rain bands. Be mindful that the extended rain will elevate the risk of ponding and flash flooding over the next few days.
Please continue to exercise caution when navigating roadways, and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.
Clinical staff will continue one-to-one hand-offs as needed. In addition, we are continuing normal business operations and normal pay practices. We will keep you posted should this status change.
Please be certain to stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website.
Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.
Sunday, September 20, 2020: 2:50 p.m.
Heavy rainfall expected Monday and Tuesday
Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management are closely monitoring the weather as the Greater Houston area and east Texas is expecting a potential threat of heavy rainfall early tomorrow morning, continuing throughout Tuesday. With the heavy rainfall, localized flash flooding is possible in portions of Houston and east Texas.
We urge employees to exercise caution when navigating roadways and avoid flooded areas as you head home or make your way into work. Please plan for additional travel time, and be prepared to identify alternate routes in case roadways are flooded. Also, be sure to communicate with your leaders should your arrival to work be delayed due to the inclement weather conditions.
As for clinical staff, we will proceed with one-to-one hand-offs on Monday and Tuesday for those delayed in arriving at work due to weather and road conditions. At this time, we are planning for normal operations, and we are continuing normal pay practices. We will keep you posted should this status change.
Please be certain to stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website.
Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.