Hurricane Francine final update Wednesday, September 11, 2024 7:40 a.m.
Hurricane Francine will make landfall later this afternoon on the Louisiana coast likely as a Category 2 hurricane. There is a chance for rain showers in parts of Houston and some storm surge on the coast, but generally, we expect minimal impact on our service areas.
Thank you again for your continued support and partnership throughout this weather event. Our thoughts remain with those in the path of the hurricane.
We will continue to operate as business as usual. This is our final message regarding this storm.
Tropical Storm Francine update Tuesday, September 10, 2024 4:30 p.m.
Tropical Storm Francine is now expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon on the Louisiana Gulf Coast near Baton Rouge and New Orleans as a Category 1 hurricane. As the storm continues to move east, the forecast for the Texas Gulf Coast has become more favorable, so at this time, we do not plan to make any operational changes. Please continue to monitor the local news and weather for traffic and safety alerts for your area as the forecast may differ across the region.
Thank you to everyone who prepared ahead of time for the storm, so we could ensure our care continued for our patients and health plan members. Your ongoing dedication and commitment makes all the difference for those who put their trust in us. While it appears we’re out of the woods this time, our thoughts are with those in the path of the storm in Louisiana.
We will monitor the weather overnight into the morning. We do not expect any major changes, but will send a final message tomorrow morning.
Michael Brown
Administrator on Call
Tropical Storm Francine update Tuesday, September 10, 2024 8:00 a.m.
As Tropical Storm Francine approaches the Texas Gulf Coast, we continue to closely monitor weather conditions. The storm is now expected to make landfall on Wednesday afternoon on the Louisiana Gulf Coast near Vermilion Bay as a Category 2 hurricane. The Texas Gulf Coast may experience up to three inches of rain with sustained winds from 30-35 mph with higher wind gusts possible. The storm surge potential is up to 3 feet, which could cause moderate flooding. Lighter rain and squalls are expected inland. Please continue to monitor the local news and weather for traffic and safety alerts for your area as the forecast may differ across the region.
Operations update
At this time, we do not expect to activate ride out. At campus locations, please be prepared for one-to-one handoffs to ensure coverage. Team members at outpatient community locations should consult their respective leadership for updates and details on business operations.
Safety is always our first priority, so we advise team members to continue preparing for potential inclement weather:
- Monitor the local news and weather for traffic and safety alerts for your area
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the weather event
- Use caution when navigating roadways and plan for additional travel time to allow for detours around flooded areas and travel through heavy rains
- Please save your leader’s contact information to your phone or mobile device and check in with them on your status
If you do not currently receive emergency texts and would like to, log in to Voyager, go to Contact Info and add the Home Mobile Phone field. Even if your home phone is your mobile phone, by adding this field, it ensures you are on the list. Please also be mindful the number is correct. Just transposing two digits will prevent you from receiving texts.
Visit the Organizational Resilience SharePoint site for hurricane preparedness resources and tips.
We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as needed.
Michael Brown
Administrator on Call
Tropical Storm Francine update Monday, September 9, 2024 11:50 a.m.
As Tropical Storm Francine approaches the Texas Gulf Coast, we continue to closely monitor weather conditions. The storm will be offshore Tuesday and Wednesday morning bringing heavy rains, flooding and wind gusts to coastal areas. At this point, the impact to the Greater Houston area will depend on the track of the storm, but some rainfall is expected inland. The latest weather reports indicate the storm will likely make landfall along the Texas-Louisiana border late Wednesday and could become a hurricane.
Beginning today, team members should begin preparing their work areas in case of a facility/office closure For those employees who are able to do their work remotely, please ensure you have a plan in place to do so, if needed.
Safety is always our first priority, so we advise team members to prepare now for potential inclement weather:
- Monitor the local news and weather for traffic and safety alerts for your area
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the weather event
- Use caution when navigating roadways and plan for additional travel time to allow for detours around flooded areas and travel through heavy rains
- Please save your leader’s contact information to your phone or mobile device and check in with them on your status
- Prepare your at-work disaster bag if you’re on the ride-out team, in case this is needed
If you do not currently receive emergency texts and would like to, log in to Voyager, go to Contact Info and add the Home Mobile Phone field. Even if your home phone is your mobile phone, by adding this field, it ensures you are on the list. Please also be mindful the number is correct. Just transposing two digits will prevent you from receiving texts.
Visit the Organizational Resilience SharePoint site for hurricane preparedness resources and tips.
We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as needed.
Michael Brown
Administrator on Call