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Hurricane Preparedness: UT Police at Houston’s high-water vehicles

Three UTHealth Houston employees pose with one of the UT Police Department's high-water rescue vehicles. Two stand in front of the truck while another waves from the driver's seat. The truck is marked "High Water Rescue" and displays the UT Police Department seal.

At more than 10 feet tall and weighing 23,500 pounds, two towering vehicles nicknamed “Laverne” and “Shirley” stand ready at UT Police at Houston—built not for comfort or speed, but for when floodwaters rise and normal transportation becomes impossible.

Acquired after Hurricane Harvey, these high-water evacuation vehicles are part of UTHealth Houston’s broader storm preparedness strategy, helping transport key medical personnel, move supplies, and support emergency response when roads become impassable. Shaped by lessons learned from storms like Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Harvey, they reflect the planning and coordination required to keep healthcare moving during severe weather.