Houston, Texas – Four fatalities have been reported in Houston following severe storms that brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rains on Thursday. The destructive weather system has caused widespread flooding, power outages, and significant damage in parts of the South.
According to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña, one person died when a crane was toppled by strong winds, and two others were killed by falling trees. Violent storm conditions in the city shattered skyscraper windows, partially collapsed a nightclub, and tore off the roof of the downtown Hyatt Regency, showering the hotel lobby with rain and debris.
Mayor John Whitmire advised all non-essential workers to stay home, as the city faces widespread power outages and disabled traffic lights. Nearly 1 million homes and businesses across Texas are without power, with Louisiana also experiencing over 100,000 outages due to the storms.
The Weather Prediction Center issued a rare Level 4 of 4 high risk of excessive rainfall for parts of Texas and western Louisiana, where over 600,000 people reside. The region has been inundated with double-digit rainfall totals, causing rivers to swell and posing an extreme flood threat.
Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel as roadways are impassable due to downed power lines, debris, and fallen trees. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm alerts for Houston, where winds reached speeds exceeding 74 mph, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane.
Furthermore, the continuous heavy downpours have led to extreme rainfall totals in the region, with forecasts predicting additional rainfall of 2 to 3 inches per hour. The storms are expected to persist, exacerbating the flooding situation in already waterlogged areas.
As the South braces for more inclement weather, emergency responders and local authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of the ongoing storms. The resilience of communities in the face of such challenging conditions is evident, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness and response strategies in the face of extreme weather events.