Severe storms in Houston leave 4 dead and over 850,000 without power
Southeastern Texas experienced a series of severe thunderstorms, resulting in at least four fatalities and extensive damage across the Houston area. The storms brought down trees, caused significant structural damage to high-rise buildings, and disrupted power to approximately 850,000 to 900,000 homes and businesses. The National Weather Service issued flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings, with concerns about damaging winds and potential tornadoes.
The impact of the storms led to the cancellation of classes for the Houston Independent School District's 274 campuses and the grounding of flights at Houston's two major airports. Mayor John Whitmire advised residents to avoid traveling on the roads due to the danger posed by impassable roads and malfunctioning traffic signals. Power outages affected over 870,000 customers in Harris County alone, which is home to over 4.7 million people.
In the wake of the storms, flood watches and warnings remained in effect for Houston and surrounding areas. The fast-moving storm system caused what was described as "catastrophic" damage to transmission lines in neighboring Montgomery County, with repairs expected to take several days. The community has been urged to exercise caution and stay informed as state resources are mobilized to assist in recovery efforts.
