Severe storms with hurricane-force winds have wreaked havoc in Houston, Texas, resulting in seven fatalities and leaving nearly a million residents without power. The violent weather system caused extensive damage, including smashed skyscraper windows, downed power lines, and blocked roadways with debris and fallen trees.
The storms, which included winds reaching up to 100 mph and some tornadoes, swept through Texas before moving into Louisiana. Houston Mayor John Whitmire described the conditions as reminiscent of 2008’s Hurricane Ike, one of the costliest natural disasters in United States history. The powerful winds blew out windows in downtown high-rises, causing significant hazards from shattered glass and debris. “Downtown is a mess. It’s dangerous due to the glass and the lack of traffic lights. So stay at home,” advised Mayor Whitmire.
At the height of the storm, more than 900,000 customers in Texas were without power, with Houston’s Harris County being the most affected. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear debris and restore power, but the city’s power provider warned residents to prepare for extended outages as temperatures were expected to soar into the 90s over the weekend.
The storms also caused substantial flooding in several areas. In Bryan, Texas, up to 20 water rescues were conducted after residents drove into floodwaters. The severe weather prompted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to request a presidential disaster declaration, citing the extensive damage from severe storms, historic flooding, and tornadoes since April 26th
Houston’s mayor and other officials urged residents to stay off the roads due to the dangerous conditions. Many schools in the Houston area, including the Houston Independent School District, canceled classes on Friday. The National Weather Service continued to warn of additional storms that could bring more heavy rainfall, wind gusts, and possible tornadoes to parts of the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
The recovery process will involve extensive efforts to clear debris, restore power, and assess the full extent of the damage. As the city braces for continued severe weather, officials emphasized the importance of safety and community support in the aftermath of this destructive storm system.
