Intense thunderstorms swept through Texas, leaving about one million people without power and causing destruction in their path. The storm brought heavy rain, destructive winds, and dangerous flooding to areas that were already inundated earlier in the month. Four people were killed in the storm, with reports of blown-out windows, building damage, downed power lines, and fatalities caused by falling trees and a crane accident.
Houston was hit particularly hard by winds of up to 100 miles per hour, with some twisters mixed in. The city’s mayor described the storm as rivaling the speeds seen during Hurricane Ike. The aftermath of the storm led to widespread power outages, with restoration efforts expected to take up to 48 hours in some areas. Houston’s public school district announced closures for the following day, emphasizing the need for residents to stay home due to dangerous conditions on the roads.
Throughout the city, emergency responders worked to address the storm’s impact, which included twisted metal sign posts and shattered glass in downtown Houston. Local news reports highlighted the significant damage caused by the storm, with images and videos circulating on social media showing flooded roads and wind-related destruction in various areas. The weather conditions prompted the issuing of flash flood warnings across the state, urging residents to seek higher ground and avoid flooded roads.
Videos and images from east-central Texas showed vehicles struggling to navigate flooded roads in College Station, where a flash flood warning was in effect. Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros were playing, also experienced strong winds that whipped large panel structures. The Weather Prediction Center warned of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding for over 12 million people in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In response to the storm’s impact, Harris County’s top executive, Lina Hidalgo, provided updates on social media regarding the forecasted rain and potential flooding risks.
Hidalgo expressed concerns about heavy rainfall potentially impacting areas near the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, posing a threat to residents and increasing the risk of flooding over the weekend. She noted that parts of Harris County, including areas near the San Jacinto River, had already experienced major flooding earlier in the month. This previous flooding had prompted a disaster declaration from Hidalgo, aimed at providing federal aid to residents affected by the storms. The community faced ongoing challenges as they worked to recover from the storm’s impact and prepare for potential future flooding incidents.
