A Message from the NASA JSC Center Director Regarding Tropical Storm Harvey

To the JSC Community:

Tropical Storm Harvey continues to drop significant amounts of rain on the greater Houston area. I want you to know the safety of the JSC team and all of your families is my highest priority.

JSC will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday) to all but Mission Essential Personnel. All other employees should stay home unless you are called upon by the recovery team. We will continue evaluating the status of the center on a day-to-day basis. Instructions for excused leave for this time period, both while we’re closed and for people who either can’t get to JSC or need to take care of their recovery when we re-open, will be issued after we re-open.

Yesterday we initiated the Emergency Notification System (ENS) for our civil servants. While we have heard from close to 90% of you, we are anxious to hear from the rest. We are working with our Joint Leadership Team for a status on our contractor workforce.

If you haven’t communicated with your supervisor, please contact them and let them know if you are safe or if you need help, as we know your status may change from day to day as the rain continues to fall.

While the vast majority of our workforce is safe, many have experienced severe flood damage, are without power and may need other assistance. We are putting together a system to gather needs and mobilize volunteer resources to help our JSC family. We are also looking to open the Gilruth Center as a Recharge and Refresh Station to provide air conditioning, hot showers, access to computer stations, and a place to take the children for a while. A notice will come out in JSC Today when the Gilruth Center is open with this service.

Please continue to stay tuned to www.jscsos.com for real-time information and site conditions. Employees should monitor the latest advisories on Hurricane Harvey’s impact to their area at http://hurricanes.gov.

I appreciate everyone’s willingness go the extra mile – whether that is onsite supporting operations or offsite helping others. As soon as it becomes possible, we will assess the damage, rebuild, support each other and continue carrying out our mission. My thoughts are with you as we weather this storm together.

Please stay safe and Houston Strong!

Ellen