Severe storms kill at least 4 in Houston, knock out power to 850,000 homes and businesses
World
Fast-moving thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday for the second time this month, killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 850,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. This is reported by the Associated Press.
Officials urged residents to keep off roads, as many were impassable and traffic lights were expected to be out for much of the night.
“Stay at home tonight. Do not go to work tomorrow, unless you’re an essential worker. Stay home, take care of your children,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in an evening briefing.
The mayor said four people died during the severe weather. At least two of the deaths were caused by falling trees, and another happened when a crane blew over in strong winds, officials said.
Streets were flooded, and trees and power lines were down across the region. Hundreds of windows were shattered at downtown hotels and office buildings, with glass littering the streets below.
The Houston Independent School District canceled classes Friday for some 400,000 students at all its 274 campuses.
About 855,000 customers were without electricity in and around Harris County, which contains Houston. The county is home to more than 4.7 million people.
“Stay at home tonight. Do not go to work tomorrow, unless you’re an essential worker. Stay home, take care of your children,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in an evening briefing.
The mayor said four people died during the severe weather. At least two of the deaths were caused by falling trees, and another happened when a crane blew over in strong winds, officials said.
Streets were flooded, and trees and power lines were down across the region. Hundreds of windows were shattered at downtown hotels and office buildings, with glass littering the streets below.
The Houston Independent School District canceled classes Friday for some 400,000 students at all its 274 campuses.
About 855,000 customers were without electricity in and around Harris County, which contains Houston. The county is home to more than 4.7 million people.
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