Texas surgical hospital evacuates 200 people after burst pipe floods facility

Amarillo, Texas-based Northwest Surgical Hospital evacuated around 200 people on Aug. 19 after a broken pipe flooded the facility, Amarillo Globe-News reported Aug. 20. 

Northwest Surgical Hospital is part of Northwest Texas Healthcare System in Amarillo, according to its website. Another medical clinic, owned by BSA Health System and located in the same building as Northwest Surgical, was also impacted. 

At 4:09 p.m., the Amarillo Fire Department was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival eight minutes later, crews found water coming from Northwest Surgical’s entrance, with six inches of standing water across the facility. The flooding also caused ceiling tiles to sag in the facility. Medical equipment was covered with tarps to prevent damage, the publication said.

The flooding was caused by a two-inch line supplying the facility’s fire riser room that had ruptured under the foundation. Due to the location of the flooding, crews were forced to shut down the water by using a separate valve elsewhere on the property.

Around 200 people, mainly employees, were evacuated safely. No injuries were reported, and one post-surgical patient was transferred to Northwest Texas Hospital. 

Structural and electrical engineers are scheduled to inspect the building on Aug. 20. Hospital reopening and patient services updates are expected once the assessments are finished. 

Becker’s has reached out to Northwest Texas Healthcare System and the Amarillo Fire Department for comment and will update this story should more information become available. 

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