In brief
On Monday, a powerful tornado swept through neighborhoods north of Houston, damaging over 100 homes, uprooting trees, and causing severe disruptions including downed power lines. Residents reported harrowing experiences as they took shelter during the storm, with damage assessments ongoing due to heavy fog. Emergency crews are working to address gas leaks and clear debris.
HOUSTON (RTWNews) — A tornado that raced through residential areas north of Houston on Monday caused extensive damage, affecting over 100 homes. Many roofs were torn off, garages shifted off their foundations, and windows shattered, officials reported.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the aftermath of the storm, which uprooted trees, knocked down power lines, and scattered debris across several neighborhoods. As of Tuesday morning, visibility was low due to heavy fog, complicating damage assessments.
The National Weather Service indicated that calmer weather conditions are expected to settle in the region, while further south, heavy rain and strong thunderstorms are anticipated. This period coincides with one of the busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Reports indicated that at one point, more than 20,000 customers lost power due to the storm. Local residents, like Miriam Harris, described the frightening experience, stating, 'I had the door and I was trying to hold it shut so that nothing would end up in the house. It was so forceful.' Harris reported damages to her roof, trees, and holiday decorations.
City officials in Klein, roughly 25 miles north of Houston, are currently addressing multiple gas leaks, clearing fallen trees, and tidying up debris found in parks, homes, and businesses. Additional damage has also been reported in areas like Cypress and Spring.
Drone footage and photos shared by the Harris County Precinct 4 constable on social media illustrated the scale of the destruction, with several roads blocked by debris. The local fire department is on the scene, clearing fallen tree limbs and tackling urgent repairs.
The weather service had earlier issued a tornado watch for southeastern Texas, which remains in effect until the early hours of Tuesday.
