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Hurricane Harvey Impact to the Port Post Event Recovery Status – Economic Impact

[ August 31, 2017   //   ]

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority continues its post event recovery efforts. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel (Ship Channel) remains closed since Thursday August 24th as the United States Coast Guard maintains condition Zulu for all areas of the Ship Channel.  However the US Coast Guard has issued a modified Zulu status for the Inner Harbor to allow for vessels with up to 20 feet draft to operate.

The Port of Corpus Christi Emergency Operations Center, Security Command Center and Harbor Master’s Office continue under 24 hour operations orders until further notice.

Hurricane Harvey has significantly impacted the entire Texas gulf coast with the petroleum refining centers of Corpus Christi, Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, and Lake Charles Louisiana either completely shutdown or significantly scaled back operations. It is estimated only 25% of the refining capacity in the region is operational.

As Corpus Christi was the location where Hurricane Harvey came ashore, the damages to the Corpus Christi refining center was impacted mainly with loss of power.  Nearly 100% of power to the refiners has been restored and the Corpus Christi refineries are ramping up operations in an effort to serve the rest of the Texas first responders and consumer needs.  Petroleum pipelines to Corpus Christi must start moving product through the Port onto deep draft vessels so the refining center can ramp up to full operations.

While overall Hurricane Harvey preliminary economic impacts in Corpus Christi remain uncertain, some key economic indicators include:

  • Port of Corpus Christi stakeholders generate $350 million per day in national economic output
  • Over $100 million per day of goods value move through the Port of Corpus Christi Authority
  • Over 80,000 jobs depend on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel
  • PCCA continues working toward achieving normal business operations by September 4th.

All initial hydrographic surveys of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel are now complete and the US Coast Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers are reviewing the survey results in an effort to identify shoaling areas and possible navigational hazard from debris as a result of the hurricane.  Complete hydrographic profiles are ongoing.

Port Police and Security Teams are maintaining all primary security access control points and are on both landside and marine patrol at all harbor facilities.  The Port Police Department has received no reports of any vandalism or burglaries during this weather event. Access questions, security related issues, emergencies or spills should continue to be reported to the Security Command Center via normal channels.

Port Police Command Center Phone: 361-882-1182; or email portpolice@pocca.com.

 

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