UT’s marine institute still recovering from Harvey

Operations at the University of Texas at Austin’s marine science institute are still minimal in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and large portions of the facility may not reopen for several months, an official said Thursday.

The Port Aransas facility suffered perhaps the most severe damage of the $100 million incurred by UT System institutions, chief system compliance and risk officer Phillip Dendy said. The system will likely absorb $10 million to $20 million of expenses after insurance across all institutions, he said.

The institute — the first marine research facility on the Gulf Coast — took a huge hit in both facility damage and impact to scientific research during Harvey.

“There’s very little going on (at) that campus right now,” Dendy said, noting that Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi is still providing lab and office space to researchers and students. Regent Janiece Longoria said Texas A&M chancellor John Sharp contacted her on the Friday of the storm to offer the Corpus Christi school as temporary housing for the marine science institute.

“We were so grateful that people came from all quarters to try and help one another through a very difficult situation,” she said.

Damage was mitigated by storm doors, floodwalls and submarine glass added after past hurricanes and storms.

“Our institutions have had more real-life experiences with these events than anyone would want,” Dendy said.

Staff, students and volunteers at other system institutions worked overtime, served meals and helped patients during Harvey, he said.