Intense thunderstorms swept through Texas on Thursday evening, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Four people lost their lives and over one million people were left without power as heavy rain, destructive winds, and dangerous flooding hit central and southeast portions of the state.
In Houston, the storm wreaked havoc, with blown-out windows, shredded building facades, and downed power lines. The powerful storm claimed the lives of four individuals, including one who was inside a vehicle at the time, according to Mary Benton, a spokeswoman for the mayor’s office. As a result, all schools in Houston were closed on Friday.
The National Weather Service in Houston had issued warnings ahead of the storm, cautioning residents to take cover and prepare for winds of up to 80 miles per hour. Additionally, a tornado warning and a special marine warning were also issued for the area, including Galveston Bay.
Local news reports highlighted significant damage in downtown Houston, with images showing a club missing a brick wall and twisted metal signposts. Forecasters had issued flash flood warnings across the state, urging Texans to seek higher ground and avoid driving through flooded roadways.
Videos and images circulating on social media captured the chaos in east-central Texas, with vehicles struggling to navigate flooded roads in College Station. At Minute Maid Park, strong winds were seen whipping large panel structures during a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics.
The Weather Prediction Center warned of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding for more than 12 million people across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Lina Hidalgo, the top executive of Harris County, expressed concerns about potential flooding in the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, urging residents to stay vigilant.
Parts of Harris County had already experienced major flooding earlier in the month, prompting a disaster declaration from Ms. Hidalgo to bring federal aid to affected residents. As the cleanup and recovery efforts begin, the community is coming together to support those impacted by the devastating storm.
