Severe Storms Hit Houston Area, Power Outages Reported

Severe thunderstorms swept through the Houston area on Tuesday afternoon, causing significant damage and power outages. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo provided an update on the situation, mentioning that thousands of residents were left without power during the storm.

CenterPoint, the local utility provider, mobilized over 1,800 crews to assist in restoring power to affected areas. Unlike a previous storm on May 16th, where outages were concentrated in specific areas, Tuesday’s outage was widespread across the entire city. Heavy winds, reaching 75 miles per hour near Bush Airport, led to flooding and debris in several neighborhoods.

While the storm’s impact was notable, Hidalgo highlighted that the damage was not as severe as in previous events. Residents seeking assistance were advised to reach out to FEMA or dial 211 for support. In Southeast Texas, including the Houston region, a strong line of storms brought hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall. Downtown areas received over three inches of rain, leading to multiple instances of flooding and power outages surpassing 300,000 households at the peak of the storm.

Local meteorologists warned of flood advisories continuing into the afternoon, urging caution on waterlogged streets. The storm system, characterized by intense lightning activity, was forecasted to move quickly through the region, potentially bringing hail and strong winds. While conditions were expected to improve as the storms moved towards the coast, additional storm activity was possible through the night and into early Wednesday morning.

Furthermore, the article mentioned the presence of smoke from 168 active fires in Mexico and Central America, affecting air quality in Southeast Texas. However, the storms were forecasted to clear out the smoke and improve air quality for the week ahead. Relief from excessive heat was expected in the forecast, with thunderstorms replacing the scorching temperatures.

As the Houston area braced for the aftermath of the severe storms, efforts to restore power and manage the impact of the weather event were underway. The community remained vigilant in light of the changing weather conditions and potential risks associated with the storm’s aftermath.