At least four people have died after hurricane-force winds, life-threatening flooding and torrential rain destroyed the city of Houston, Texas, yesterday.
While the National Weather Service office issued a tornado warning for the city yesterday, it was winds reaching more than 70 mph that downed trees, blew out windows and left more than a million people without power.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire said at a news conference that two people were killed by falling trees and a third died after a crane overturned.
He did not clarify how the fourth person died. The victims still have not been identified.
While the National Weather Service office issued a tornado watch warning for the city yesterday, it was winds of more than 70 mph that downed trees, blew out windows and left more than a million people without power.
Workers clean up damage inside a downtown restaurant after a strong storm passed through Houston
Videos and images show broken windows in buildings in the city center
Whitmire recommended residents stay home Friday instead of driving to work and asked that only essential workers make the dangerous trip.
Schools have also been closed due to widespread power outages and disabled traffic lights.
‘Stay home tonight, don’t go to work tomorrow unless you are an essential worker. Stay home, take care of your children.
“Our first responders will work around the clock,” the mayor told the panicked public.
A car crushed by bricks falling from the wall of a fallen building sits in a downtown Houston parking lot.
A damaged building is shown after a severe storm passed through downtown, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
People are seen running for shelter as unprecedented rain falls on the city along with debris destroying homes and cars.
Videos and images show broken windows on downtown buildings, cranes swaying in the wind, people running for shelter as unprecedented rains fall on the city along with debris destroying homes and cars.
The Houston Fire Department has advised locals to leave their homes immediately and call 911 if they smell gas in their home.
According FOX WeatherCounties near Houston are also dealing with power losses.
The storm has caused extensive flooding in the city of Bryan, causing 20 drivers to be rescued from rising water levels, according to cnn.
The mayor has said it would take between 24 and 48 hours to restore power in some areas.