Houston was hit by a series of intense thunderstorms on Thursday, which brought along hurricane-force winds. Tragically, the storms resulted in the loss of at least 4 lives and left nearly 1 million people without electricity.
According to a county executive, if the grid in Texas’s largest city is damaged, certain areas could be without electricity for several weeks.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo stated on Friday that the storm caused an 18-wheeler to overturn and power transmission towers to topple. She emphasized that the process of recovery will require a significant amount of time.
Hidalgo noted during a press conference that it will be necessary to discuss this catastrophe in terms of weeks, rather than days.
More than 700,000 customers are still without electricity, according to CenterPoint Energy.
According to the National Weather Service, the storms ripped through Texas on Thursday evening at around 7 p.m., bringing with them winds that reached speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. This information was reported by Houston Public Media.
The photos captured the true scale of destruction in the area, showcasing fallen trees, crushed cars, and a building that had partially collapsed. According to a report by The Associated Press, the powerful gusts of wind blew out windows in skyscrapers, leaving shattered glass scattered across the sidewalks.
Reuters is the original source of this content.
Social media videos captured the destructive force of debris crashing through glass storefronts and rain pouring inside Minute Maid Park baseball stadium in Houston. Despite the closed roof, the powerful storm found its way in, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
School districts in the area decided to cancel classes on Friday, while Houston Mayor John Whitmire strongly advised individuals who were not essential workers to refrain from going to work.
The image credits for this paragraph is given to Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images/Getty Images.
Texas has recently experienced a series of intense storms that have taken a toll on the state. The region was hit by heavy rainfall earlier this month, resulting in significant flooding in the Houston metropolitan area.
Texas has experienced a number of power grid problems in recent years, both during the summer and winter seasons. Consequently, these issues have prompted certain individuals to relocate from the state.
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