Severe weather in Houston: Astros, Dash set to play scheduled home games amid recovery efforts from deadly storms

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros announced Friday that the first of their three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers will be played as scheduled as part of recovery efforts that began downtown following Thursday’s deadly storms.

The announcement comes after Houston Mayor John Whitmire said during a news conference earlier in the day that it would be in the best interest of Houstonians to avoid the area altogether.

In a message, the ball club said it urges fans to proceed with caution if they travel to Minute Maid Park Friday to watch the 19-25 team compete. The club is coming off a winning streak in a five-game series against the Oakland Athletics.

Videos posted on social media showed fans at the Juice Box as rain poured through the closed retractable roof.

Downtown Houston suffered damage that authorities could only describe as incredible.

The next day, ABC13’s SkyEye captured footage showing the streets of an otherwise bustling neighborhood littered with glass and debris from various high-rise buildings.

WATCH: Downtown Houston riddled with glass after storm tears out windows of high-rise buildings

Whitmire and several other Houston officials surveyed damage from the storm, which produced 100 mph winds in downtown Houston and a tornado near Cypress, the National Weather Service said.

There are also nearly 2,500 traffic lights that are unusable due to the damage.

In addition to current activities, the Houston Dash will face the Portland Thorns FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the recovery process is beginning and could take weeks.

First pitch for the Astros against Brewers is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.