University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is prepared for flooding

Spokesperson Raul Reyes, of UTMB says that the hospital is currently up and running and accepting patients as of 7:30 pm on Sunday night.

"We learned lessons from Ike and Rita and we have completed a $1 Billion dollar improvement project that includes moving essential hospital unites that were located on lower floors to higher ones", says Reyes. "We are ready as we can be."

The hospital removed sheet rock and replaced it with ceramic tile that just needs to be wiped down before it is ready to go again, Reyes told us in an interview tonight.

Reyes says that UTMB is continuing to accept patients and is standing by ready to assist their neighbors to the north in the Houston area, if they are called upon.

"We are telling staff that if they can safely come to work then please, come in," Reyes said on Sunday. "But if they cannot safely reach their campus, then contact their supervisor and let them know."

In addition to the campus in Galveston, The University of Texas Medical Branch has campuses all throughout the Galveston area, including Angelton and League City, areas which have already seen some flooding.

As for a repeat of what happened after hurricane Ike, Reyes feels the hospital is much better prepared today than they were when Ike slammed into the area in September 2008.

"This is an unpredictable storm", said Reyes, "But we are ready."