Houston hit by multiple tornadoes, leaving one dead

Multiple tornadoes struck the Houston area on Saturday, killing one person in Brazoria County and injuring four others according to local reports.

Why It Matters

The severe weather strikes during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, disrupting thousands of flights across Texas' major airports.

John Lichter, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS), said at least six tornadoes hit the area, although they may discover there were more when authorities are able to survey the damage caused by straight-line winds.

The region had already experienced tornado activity on Thursday, with two tornadoes recorded near El Campo in Wharton County and in the Crosby area of Harris County. The timing is particularly concerning as tornadoes can be especially dangerous in Gulf Coast states during winter months.

What To Know

Governor Greg Abbott has activated the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) in response to the severe weather threat across the eastern half of Texas. In Brazoria County, approximately 10 homes were damaged between Liverpool and Hillcrest Village, with additional destruction reported in Katy and Porter Heights, where mobile homes were damaged, and a fire station's doors were blown in.

The storms have knocked out power to more than 45,000 customers in Texas and 21,000 in Louisiana. In Franklin County, Mississippi, more than 30 percent of utility customers are without power, and reports indicate at least one person was trapped in a home in Bude when a tree fell during a tornado.

Travel disruptions have intensified across Texas's major airports. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport reports disruptions to one thousand and eighty-seven flights, while Houston Bush Intercontinental faces six hundred and four affected flights.

Dallas Love Field has experienced disruptions to two hundred and twenty-two flights as the severe weather impacts holiday travel.

Resources for Residents:

• Monitor road conditions: DriveTexas.org
• Access flood information: TexasFlood.org
• Emergency preparedness guidance: tdem.texas.gov/prepare
• General safety tips: TexasReady.gov

What People Are Saying

Governor Abbott: "Texas is prepared to deploy all necessary resources to help local officials respond to severe weather threats."

Dan Davis, Manvel Mayor: "I've received confirmation that tragically, one life was lost due to the storm coming through Brazoria County."

Josh Lichter at NWS: "These storms are probably going to get a lot worse this evening and overnight the further east you go."

What Happens Next

TDEM has activated swiftwater rescue boat squads and placed urban search and rescue teams on standby. The severe weather threat is expected to expand eastward, potentially affecting a dozen states through Sunday.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.