A water leak that prompted the evacuation of a 33-story high-rise in Houston was caused by an underground utility line break. The subsequent damage from flooding, including a heaved area of slab, did not appear to compromise the 18-year-old building’s structural capacity, according to an independent engineer’s report. Still, the 253-unit building will remain empty of residents until repairs are made.
The post-event structural observations brief was prepared by Joshua White and Jeremiah Fasl of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. on Aug. 12, the day after the leak and evacuation of the Royalton condominium building on Allen Parkway. The WJE engineers noted their opinions were based on observations and structural drawings, so additional conditions could be exposed during repairs.