Houston Faces Tragic Loss: Multiple Deaths Reported Amid Severe Storms and Flood Risks in Texas and Louisiana

At least four people have tragically lost their lives in Houston due to the destructive impact of hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall on Thursday. This devastating storm is also causing life-threatening floods and power outages in various parts of the South.

According to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña, one person seems to have been killed by a crane collapsing in the strong winds, while two others lost their lives due to fallen trees. This information is based on initial reports and is subject to further confirmation.

Violent storms in Houston have caused significant damage, including blown out skyscraper windows, a partially collapsed nightclub, and a strip of roofing ripped off the downtown Hyatt Regency. Witness video captured the chaos in the city.

Mayor John Whitmire has urged all non-essential workers to stay home tomorrow due to widespread power outages. City schools are closed as well. The storm has darkened the city and disabled traffic lights, creating dangerous conditions. Debris, downed trees, and power lines now litter the streets, with broken glass from shattered windows covering the downtown area.

Nearly 1 million homes and businesses in Texas are currently experiencing power outages, while over 100,000 are also without electricity in Louisiana due to severe storms.

According to the Weather Prediction Center, parts of Texas and western Louisiana are facing a rare Level 4 out of 4 high risk of excessive rainfall on Thursday. This high-risk zone is home to more than 600,000 people.

Major flooding in at least one Texas city has led to water rescues. In Bryan, about 100 miles northwest of Houston, police had to assist around 20 drivers who were trapped in rising water.

According to the WPC, high-risk days like this only occur on 4% of days each year. However, they are responsible for over 80% of all flood damage and more than a third of all flood-related deaths in the United States. So far, there have been only three other days this year that have reached this alarming level, with the most recent one occurring nearly three weeks ago.

CNN Weather

The atmosphere is showing signs that it is ready to release a lot of rain, which is happening more often due to human-caused climate change in a warming world.

In the coming days, there will be heavy rainfall ranging from 2 to 6 inches across areas spanning from Texas to Georgia until Saturday morning. In some areas, there may be even more rain, with a few spots possibly receiving 8 inches or more. It is even possible that a couple of areas could see close to 12 inches of rain in just 48 hours.

Texas and Louisiana have been experiencing continuous heavy rain since the beginning of April, leading to severe flooding. According to the WPC, the amount of rain in the area over the past two weeks is more than six times the usual amount.

The region has seen rainfall reaching between 20 and 30 inches in the last few weeks, saturating the ground and causing rivers to overflow. This has significantly increased the risk of flooding to dangerous levels.

Drenched soils are unlikely to absorb Thursday's rainfall, according to the warning from the WPC this morning. This means that widespread flash flooding could occur shortly after heavy rain begins.

The risk of flooding will increase on Thursday, but the threat will continue into Friday as well.

Storms, some severe, started on Thursday afternoon in Texas, leading to flash flood warnings for cities like Waco. These strong storms will move towards Louisiana and Mississippi later in the day.

In southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, including Houston and Lake Charles, nearly 10 million people are under a tornado watch until 10 p.m. CT on Thursday.

A large cluster of thunderstorms moved into the region on Thursday afternoon, bringing a flash flood threat from heavy downpours and severe storm dangers in the strongest cells. There is a possibility of a couple of tornadoes spawning, scattered damaging wind gusts reaching 70 mph, and isolated hail up to 2 inches in diameter.

More than 800,000 outages have been reported in Harris County, where Houston is located, according to PowerOutage.us. Harris County is the third-most populous county in the United States.

Earlier Thursday evening, a tornado warning was issued in Harris County, which included downtown Houston, as reported by the National Weather Service. Additionally, a severe thunderstorm warning with the highest-level “destructive” tag was also issued for Houston.

Around 6:30 p.m., the weather service in Houston identified a “destructive storm” with wind gusts reaching up to 80 mph moving over the metro area. In a post on X, residents were urged to seek immediate cover to ensure their safety.

The weather service reported high winds in the city reaching speeds of up to 71 mph. On the east side of the city, wind speeds were even higher, reaching up to 78 mph.

When winds exceed 74 mph, they are as strong as a Category 1 hurricane.

Videos posted on Thursday showed heavy rain and power flashes hitting downtown Houston. A witness mentioned that the roof of a Hyatt Regency downtown was partly torn off, causing rain and debris to enter the hotel. In another area, strong winds could be heard in the Heights neighborhood.

According to CNN affiliate KPRC, several steel power transmission towers were damaged by the storms. Firefighters had to stop traffic along a section of US Route 290 to remove fallen power lines that were hanging over the road.

Rain poured down on the roadways and Minute Maid Park as the Houston Astros geared up to face the Oakland Athletics. Mayor John Whitmire of Houston urged residents to avoid driving on the wet roads.

The mayor and first responders are urging Houstonians to refrain from driving and to avoid any unnecessary travel. According to a statement released by the mayor's office on Thursday evening, many roads are currently blocked due to fallen trees, debris, and downed power lines. There are widespread power outages and reports of damage throughout the city. Collaborating with Centerpoint, METRO, and other regional partners is essential to ensure the safety of everyone.

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has warned that the heaviest storms could bring rainfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour, posing a risk of life-threatening flash flooding. Additionally, there is a possibility of damaging winds, hail, and even a few tornadoes.

The biggest flooding threat will occur when storms train on Thursday. Training storms move repeatedly over the same areas, similar to a train moving along the same track.

There is a high risk of flash flooding in areas hit by multiple storms dumping 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour. Roads could turn into rivers rapidly and small streams may overflow their banks.

Over 35 million people in the South are facing a moderate to high risk of heavy rain on Thursday. Even a short, intense downpour could lead to flooding, especially since the region has already been quite wet.

The heavy rain will move towards the east on Friday, focusing on the Gulf Coast.

Significant portions of Mississippi and Alabama are at a Level 3 out of 4 risk of heavy rainfall on Friday. A larger area extending from the Texas/Louisiana border to Georgia and the Florida Panhandle is at a Level 2 out of 4 risk.

Drenching storms from Thursday night are expected to continue into Friday morning along the Gulf Coast. The first half of Friday may see flash flooding before the rain begins to lessen in the afternoon.

Get ready for another round of heavy rain on Friday night, lasting into early Saturday morning. The same areas that were already hit earlier in the day will be affected again. These storms may bring intense rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, potentially leading to a resurgence of flooding or making existing flooding worse.

It's been an extremely wet start to the year.

The Gulf Coast is experiencing one of the wettest years on record, with the rain adding to already extreme rainfall totals.

In some Southeast cities, the amount of rain received is more than half a foot above the typical rainfall for the first few months of the year.

Several cities from Texas to western Georgia are on track for one of the top 5 wettest years so far, with at least two cities in eastern Texas already experiencing their wettest year. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, Dallas is having its third-wettest year to date while Shreveport, Louisiana, is currently experiencing its second wettest.

Many cities in the Southeast have recorded well above average rainfall amounts so far this year. Data valid as of May 16.

Many cities in the Southeast have recorded well above average rainfall amounts so far this year. Data valid as of May 16.

CNN Weather

The Gulf Coast has seen a reduction in dryness and drought due to heavy rainfall, but there have been consequences.

Recently, eastern Texas experienced almost 2 feet of rain within a five-day period, leading to severe flooding. Many individuals and animals had to be rescued as certain rivers reached levels not seen since Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

CNN’s Ashley R. Williams, Mary Gilbert, Brandon Miller and Taylor Ward contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The devastating hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall that have ravaged Houston, Texas, have left a trail of destruction and heartbreak in their wake. The tragic loss of life and the widespread damage to property are a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. These extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to human-caused climate change, highlighting the urgent need for action to mitigate its effects.

The relentless heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding, threatening lives and property. The high risk of flash flooding poses a significant danger, as even a short, intense downpour can lead to rapid inundation. The saturated ground is unable to absorb the excess water, increasing the risk of flooding and exacerbating the already dire situation. The ongoing rainfall and the threat of further storms in the coming days only add to the challenges faced by the affected communities.