A powerful storm with hurricane-force winds struck Houston on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and leaving approximately 800,000 homes without electricity. The storm shattered windows in high-rise buildings and plunged much of the city into darkness, according to Mayor John Whitmire.
Downtown Houston and its commercial districts were littered with fallen power lines and glass from shattered windows following the storm. Traffic signals and street lights were knocked out across the city, causing further disruption.
Speaking from the city’s emergency operations center, Mayor Whitmire reported that the thunderstorm lashed the Gulf Coast city with winds reaching 80 to 100 miles per hour (129-161 kph). He urged residents to stay indoors and avoid the heavily affected downtown area, which remains darkened and hazardous due to debris.
“The situation is serious. We are working diligently to restore power and ensure the safety of our residents,” Mayor Whitmire said during an interview with local television station KRIV. Emergency crews are assessing the damage and prioritizing areas for power restoration.
The sudden and severe nature of the storm has raised concerns about infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather events. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Reference(s):
Four deaths confirmed from severe storm that ravaged Houston
cgtn.com