After Record-Breaking Rains, a Major Medical Center's Hazard Mitigation Plan Improves Resilience

In 2001, downtown Houston, Texas, faced an historic 1,000-year flood as a result of Tropical Storm Allison, shutting down the 700-acre Texas Medical Center Complex. While rebuilding the Center to withstand future floods, Texas Medical Center implemented a stormwater management plan that increases green space and improves water absorption through advanced landscaping techniques and permeable paving systems. It also developed a long-term hazard mitigation plan which incorporates 42 proactive, sustainable design measures to reduce the impact of future extreme weather events. Throughout this process, Texas Medical Center consulted hydrology experts and officials from FEMA, county flood control districts, county subsidence districts, and others.