HTM professionals in Texas and other hurricane impacted areas rose to the occasion to assist clinicians and other health care professionals during the landfall and aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
Texas experienced severe flooding and wind damage, with reports of at least seven dead in the Houston region. Additionally, the outer bands of the hurricane produced a tornado outbreak, with tornadoes confirmed in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, New York and Ontario, Canada. As of July 15, a total of 44 fatalities have been confirmed, and preliminary damage estimates are more than $6 billion.
Jennifer Chester, BMET II, with Crothall Healthcare in Houston, Texas shared her experience during the storm.
“Hurricane Beryl has significantly impacted our health care system, primarily through flooding and power outages,” Chester shared. “The heavy rainfall has left creeks and flood-prone areas heavily saturated, making even small storms a serious concern for additional flooding. Wind damage from the hurricane has resulted in downed trees, complicating travel and access. The unpredictable weather conditions continue to pose challenges, particularly with restoring power, as lineman are unable to work during thunderstorms, leading to prolonged power outages. These conditions have created unsafe situations, necessitating the cancellation or rescheduling of numerous patient appointments. Consequently, we anticipate a significant influx of patients once conditions stabilize and scheduled services resume.”
Chester said her department has been nothing short of amazing!
“Despite the risks associated with traveling under current hazardous conditions, our team has gone above and beyond to ensure the continuity and safety of our devices, teammates and patients,” she said. “Many of our team members have been actively traveling to various locations, performing evaluations, and preemptively checking high-risk equipment to assess potential damages. Fortunately, we have encountered minimal damage so far. However, the team’s readiness and willingness to tackle any challenges that might arise has been a crucial factor in maintaining our operational capabilities during this time. Their proactive efforts have ensured that we remain prepared to handle any situation effectively.”
Chester said she is “proud to be working with such a dedicated group of individuals.”
