close
close

4 dead as severe storms hit Houston area; Hundreds of thousands lose power in Texas

Gillberg
4 dead as severe storms hit Houston area; Hundreds of thousands lose power in Texas

“I know that many people have experienced and are still experiencing scary situations with the terrible and strong winds that blew through our county this evening,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement Friday morning.

“Damage assessments are ongoing, and we cannot know how long it will take to clean up the debris without those assessments being completed, but from initial reports the debris appears to be very significant,” Hidalgo said.

Classes have been canceled for the 400,000 students in the Houston Independent School District.

Officials urged all but essential employees to work from home if possible, and Houston police asked residents to avoid traveling downtown.

Two of the four people who died in Texas were killed by falling trees, while a third died when a crane exploded, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said at a news briefing . No information was given on the fourth. Whitmire said a possible fifth death is under investigation, but it’s not yet clear whether it was weather-related.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott thanked emergency personnel in a statement, saying work was underway to help communities affected by the storms.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives to severe weather in Southeast Texas, and we remain in contact with local authorities to do everything we can to protect Texans and helping our communities recover,” Abbott said. .

Related Posts