Hurricane Harvey made landfall at Port Aransas on August 25, 2017, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. The edge of the eye wall passed directly over U. T. Austin Marine Science Institute (Institute) at Port Aransas with Category 4 winds surpassing 136 mph. The Institute and the Fisheries and Mariculture Laboratory sustained significant damage. Most of the roofing failed; laboratories and offices, were inundated with water; and the student housing was severely damaged. In addition, two days after the storm, a drilling ship that broke its moorings destroyed the research pier and instrument house that had survived the storm.
This Project is intended to bring the Institute up to full operation as quickly as possible by replacing damaged roofs and mechanical systems. Various rebuilding projects will continue across the Institute including interior and exterior restoration of numerous buildings, rebuilding of the pier, and replacement of student housing.
