Houston Airports: Engineering for the eye of the storm

How the city’s airports learned from Beryl and built a stronger defense for hurricane season.

Jul 1, 2025

When Hurricane Beryl tore into the Texas Gulf Coast in July 2024, it wasn’t just another storm. Beryl slammed ashore as a deadly hurricane, knocking out power to more than 2 million homes and businesses, crippling critical infrastructure and forcing both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to halt operations. For Houston Airports, it was a defining test — and a stark reminder of how quickly a major storm can unravel even the most carefully orchestrated operations.

“We see every storm as a chance to get stronger,” said Scott Hill, deputy director of infrastructure for Houston Airports. “Beryl exposed gaps, but it also gave us a clear roadmap for how to improve.”

In the 12 months since Beryl, Houston Airports has launched targeted upgrades, many of them invisible to passengers, but critical to keeping the airport system moving when severe weather strikes again.

Portable power, on demand

One of the most visible lessons came on the roadways leading to Bush Airport. As traffic signals failed and curbside areas grew chaotic, officials turned to a surprisingly nimble solution: Ford F-150 Lightning trucks.

Originally purchased as part of the airport system’s commitment to sustainability, the electric pickups were quickly repurposed as mobile power generators. Crews used them to power traffic lights and keep traffic flowing even as much of the region remained dark.

“That was a real-world test for us,” Hill said. “During Beryl, we used the Lightnings to keep key intersections powered. That kept traffic moving and got employees and passengers where they needed to be. Now, it’s part of our standard playbook.”

In addition to the Ford Lightnings, Houston Airports secured new pre-storm generator contracts, allowing portable units to be staged on site before any system enters the Gulf.

“When you lose power, every minute counts,” Hill said. “The goal is to stay operational, not just recover.”

Houston Airports has also changed its protocols around electric vehicle usage during hurricanes. Employees and travelers are now encouraged to fully charge their electric vehicles ahead of landfall to maximize flexibility and assist others if needed.

Clearing risks before the wind blows

In airfield operations, one of the quietest but most impactful changes began immediately after Beryl.

“In aviation, debris is the enemy,” said Angel Santos, who leads the IAH airside operations and maintenance division for Houston Airports. “Fallen trees, unsecured equipment and loose materials are major hazards during high winds.”

In the months before the 2025 hurricane season, crews removed more than 100 dead or compromised trees along airport roadways and airfield zones. The removals are part of a long-term tree management program to reduce projectile risks before hurricane-force winds arrive.

“That’s 100 fewer things we have to worry about flying across our roadways or tarmacs,” Santos said. “Prevention happens before the storm shows up.”

At Terminal A, Houston Airports replaced aging jet bridges with an eye on long-term resiliency.

“The new bridges aren’t just newer, they’re smarter,” Santos said. “Every one of them now includes hurricane-grade tie-down systems to better anchor the bridges during high winds. It’s a detail most people never notice, but one that makes a huge difference when a storm arrives.”

The added reinforcements reduce the risk of bridges being damaged, dislodged or rendered unsafe during sustained tropical winds.

Hobby Airport’s approach: precision and prevention

At Hobby Airport, many of Beryl's lessons translated into rapid upgrades.

“We’ve been aggressive about identifying and removing any compromised trees that could become projectiles during a wind event,” said Jude Nwambuonwo, division manager of HOU terminal maintenance for Houston Airports. “Every tree we trim or remove is one less hazard for passengers, staff and critical infrastructure.”

Drainage was another focus. Like IAH, Hobby maintenance crews turned summer storms into live exercises.

“We don’t wait for the hurricane to tell us whether our drainage works,” Nwambuonwo said. “We use routine summer storms as live tests of our lift stations and pumping systems. That way, when the Gulf heats up, we’re not guessing.”

Hobby’s terminal roofs also received targeted repairs ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. “We’ve made targeted roof repairs across terminal buildings to prevent water intrusion before it becomes a problem,” Nwambuonwo said. “Leaks may sound minor, but one compromised roof section can shut down a gate or entire terminal area during a storm.”

Several jet bridges were also replaced at Hobby.

“The new jet bridges were designed with storms in mind,” Nwambuonwo said. “They’re equipped with hurricane-grade tie-downs that allow us to secure the bridges in place even during sustained tropical winds.”

Behind the scenes, HOU electricians and maintenance teams added another layer of readiness.

“Our electricians and maintenance teams now have standby portable generators ready to go before any storm makes landfall,” Nwambuonwo said. “That allows us to keep essential systems powered and running, even if the grid goes down.”

Water management as a daily discipline

Beyond wind, another key vulnerability for airports is water.

“We’re not waiting for hurricanes to test our drainage,” Santos said. “Every major summer rainstorm is now an opportunity to pressure-test our lift stations and pumping systems.”

When June storms moved through Houston this year, maintenance crews monitored how quickly and efficiently water was moved away from runways, taxiways and terminals. Data from those real-world events is used to make proactive adjustments long before the Gulf heats up.

“Beryl taught us that you prepare before hurricane season starts, not after,” Santos said.

Better for passengers, too

While much of the work happens behind the scenes, passengers will feel the improvements if another storm strikes.

Portable generators now power and illuminate curbside check-in kiosks, walkways, traffic lights and terminal entrances. Reinforced roofs minimize leaks and closures. Redundant power feeds maintain TSA operations and baggage handling.

Passenger communication has also been overhauled. Updated messaging through Fly2Houston.com, mobile apps and airline partners allows for earlier and more precise information when disruptions are likely.

“When you give people honest, timely information, they can plan,” said Augusto Bernal, director of communications for Houston Airports. “That reduces stress for travelers, employees and the entire airport system.”

Preparing for the next storm As the 2025 hurricane season unfolds, Houston Airports stands on firmer footing. The power may still go out, the rain may still fall and the winds will still howl. But across Bush and Hobby, layers of hard-earned resilience are now in place. Systems are engineered to survive the next storm and keep passengers moving through it.

“No airport can stop a hurricane,” Hill said. “But what we’ve built is a defense that gets stronger every single season.”