Houston entered “recovery mode” on Friday morning after a fierce storm system battered the city overnight, resulting in four fatalities, shattering windows, and toppling trees. The storm, with winds reaching up to 100 mph, left a trail of destruction and is expected to bring further severe weather to the Southeast over the weekend, including the potential for hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.
Scenes of Destruction in Downtown Houston
Residents woke up to scenes of widespread damage, with debris littering roads and broken glass scattered across downtown Houston. The storm claimed the lives of four individuals, as confirmed by city officials. Mayor John Whitmire described the city as being in “recovery mode” and emphasized the urgency of the situation.
Fatalities and Official Warnings
During a Thursday evening news conference, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña revealed that two of the deaths were caused by falling trees, while a third person died in a crane accident. Mayor Whitmire advised residents to stay home due to hazardous road conditions, exacerbated by widespread power outages that had disabled traffic lights across the city. Concerns were also raised about the dangers posed by broken glass on the streets.
Traffic Hazards and Emergency Response
Mayor Whitmire highlighted the dangers in downtown Houston, stating, “Downtown is a mess. It’s dangerous due to the glass and the lack of traffic lights. So stay at home. I can’t emphasize that, repeat that enough.” Fire Chief Peña echoed these warnings, advising residents to avoid driving in the affected areas. He reported that most emergency calls were related to downed wires and gas leaks. He urged residents to call 911 if they smelled gas but to do so from outside their homes due to potential hazards.
Widespread Power Outages and Impact on Services
The storm caused significant power outages, affecting over 900 CenterPoint Energy customers, with some restorations expected to take up to 48 hours. According to USA TODAY’s national power outage tracker, more than 420,000 outages, accounting for 20% of all power accounts in the Houston area, were reported as of Friday morning. Houston’s metro service announced that shuttles would replace trains on the Purple and Green lines due to power outages and debris on the tracks, leading to expected travel delays for morning commuters.
Schools and Workplaces Respond to Severe Weather
In response to the severe weather, schools throughout the area closed their doors. Mayor Whitmire also requested that downtown employers allow their employees to work from home to ensure their safety. By Friday morning, the Weather Channel reported a marginal risk of severe weather in Houston, with cloudy skies and a few showers expected in the afternoon.
Recent Weather Challenges
This storm comes just weeks after the Houston area experienced significant flooding from heavy rain and thunderstorms earlier in the month. In late April, the towns of Groveton and Trinity, located about 100 miles north of Houston, received 10 and 9 inches of rain, respectively, further highlighting the region’s recent weather challenges. Houston faces a challenging recovery following the destructive storm. With continued severe weather risks and significant damage to infrastructure, city officials are urging residents to prioritize safety and stay informed about ongoing recovery efforts.