A severe thunderstorm with hurricane-force winds swept through Houston on Thursday evening, causing widespread destruction and power outages. Winds reaching up to 117 mph knocked out power for nearly 1 million customers, with over 800,000 in Harris County alone. The storm shattered windows in downtown skyscrapers, downed trees, and toppled transmission towers, leaving streets blocked by debris and traffic lights out. At least five people have been confirmed dead, and officials warn that power restoration could take weeks in some areas. The storm's impact is being compared to Hurricane Ike in 2008. Tornado warnings were issued, and the damage is reminiscent of Hurricane Alicia in 1983. The storm's winds were equivalent to those of a Category 1 or 2 hurricane.
Deadly storms slam Houston area with 100+ mph winds, causing widespread damage and power outages for nearly 1 million. Officials say it could take weeks to fully restore electricity in some areas. At least 4 killed in Harris County. Story: https://t.co/N77FBK0Xel https://t.co/oqScepOx5r
100mph winds with that severe thunderstorm that blasted Houston yesterday! https://t.co/nqJtbK3TvM
Skyscraper windows shredded by 100mph winds in Houston storms https://t.co/o4jKLKACZ2
WATCH: Trail of Destruction Left In Houston After Severe Storm Batters the City https://t.co/OIM9sYXfJd
Survey reports from severe storms 5/16: - EF-1 tornado near Cypress (peak winds 110mph). - Straight-line wind damage in downtown Houston. Winds peaked ~ 100mph. - Widespread straight-line winds near Baytown/Galena Park area. Wind peaked 90-100mph. More details to be shared later
A look at the severe thunderstorm line segment that produced winds of 90-100 mph in Houston yesterday. https://t.co/MZh60OVEOn
Texas Storms Kill 4, Cut Power to a Million Customers https://t.co/wdIfp3dVGu
Downtown Houston Rocked by Severe Storms & Strong Winds, Wild Video | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/nmvLv3xZE1
Thursday’s extreme thunderstorm in Houston illustrated the potency of straight-line winds. https://t.co/G4gUsNsnHp Damage from a tornado in the Cypress area, meanwhile, likely was in the EF3 range. https://t.co/fVV279I6Rd
Apocalyptic scenes in Texas as monster storms rip through Lone Star state, killing at least four and leaving 1million without power https://t.co/70y4DcGabJ https://t.co/CfOOTk1s3q
Deadly Storm Blows Through Houston—Blowing Out Windows, Closing Schools (Photos) https://t.co/HtHea8ijvJ https://t.co/EpDJD51R0C
The storm that swept through Houston, Texas left widespread destruction, including downed trees, power outages and flooding. https://t.co/cWN9MHTWRt
Wild Weather: Powerful Storms Turn Downtown Houston into the Apocalypse and Send Residents Fleeing in Terror – At Least Four People Dead (VIDEOS) via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/sTSyAiuHXQ
VIDEO: Aftermath of the Severe #Houston #Storms https://t.co/SvL29kldN7 #severeweather https://t.co/lqqYMGt5tr
Four people were killed and nearly a million customers along the Gulf Coast were without power early Friday after intense thunderstorms swept through Texas the night before. https://t.co/Z36oDOfaob https://t.co/Ex3fazsCQC
Deadly Storm With Hurricane-Force Gusts Wreaks Havoc On Houston, Trashes Skyscrapers https://t.co/sWYeBGRvSk
Storms with hurricane-force wind gusts tore through downtown Texas Thursday, leaving at least four dead and hundreds of thousands without power. https://t.co/x49ZZ976d6
Our @JMichaelsNews is reporting from downtown Houston, where storms packing hurricane-force winds shattered high-rise windows and left a trail of destruction: https://t.co/k4vefHHT0j
For the first time, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire gave a joint news conference, talking about storm recovery. Hidalgo said it could be weeks before power is restored. https://t.co/1I2fUKA85S
At least five people died as a result of Thursday evening's powerful storm in Houston, according to Mayor John Whitmire's office and the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Click here for the latest updates: https://t.co/W0nYczKGnY https://t.co/OwZ4BS5mLZ
Downtown Houston damage: Wall of building collapes; storm blows out windows in skyscrapers https://t.co/2agiUxXm11
Houston storm damage updates: More than 700k still without power, no restoration timetable https://t.co/2xkPLD2ZTw
Live updates: Hidalgo says some could be without power for weeks after deadly Houston storm https://t.co/ZeUL8VXvX7
More scenes from the aftermath of the deadly storm that swept through the Houston region Thursday night. Follow the Chronicle's updates here: https://t.co/amc11UkEtm https://t.co/pvz0KsvQqv
Follow along for live updates on the aftermath of the storm that left a trail of destruction across Houston Thursday evening. https://t.co/cgtYg303zl
Severe Storms Hit Houston with Winds Up to 117 mph, Causing Four Fatalities and Widespread Damage Read More: https://t.co/KPlvshM0vD
Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city. If you have limited cell or internet service, use this link for more updates: https://t.co/nHbkXi08Nk
WATCH: Debris flew around the Wells Fargo Plaza in downtown Houston during a tornado-warned storm on Thursday. https://t.co/LqkJNuLEuK
Update: Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, an official said Friday, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses. https://t.co/3DKvE1qApG
Hurricane-force winds Thursday tore through Houston leaving nearly 1 million people in the dark. #8NN https://t.co/YZEmBozX2E
Some in Houston facing no power for weeks after storms cause widespread damage https://t.co/9MOFS8lGlc
Severe Texas storms knock out power to 900,000 Houston businesses and homes and blow out hundreds of office and hotel windows. https://t.co/QCF4xYyu9p
A severe thunderstorm left a trail of destruction through the Houston region Thursday evening after torrential rain and high-speed wind resulted in at least four deaths. 📷: @coomerchron, Yi-Chin Lee / HC staff photographers Follow for live updates: https://t.co/7dEh7QjmN1 https://t.co/CcUQ0OFya5
A tornado-warned storm hammered Houston Thursday evening, knocking out power to nearly a million people and killing at least four. https://t.co/SI2Eh1Uda8
Crazy weather in Houston, Texas as severe thunderstorms and 80 mph winds knocked out power for 1 million residents https://t.co/KNINea4i2a
Currently, 740,000 customers are without power, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said at a Friday morning joint news conference with Mayor John Whitmire. "For many, many people, it's going to be weeks and not days," Hidalgo said. https://t.co/LRoq4ow48m https://t.co/z6hKwzPyXP
BREAKING: Power outages could last weeks in some parts of Houston after storms caused extensive damage, county official says. https://t.co/GJ8b0Fv3zK
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said it could take weeks to restore power to areas where large transmission towers were toppled by the storm. LIve update continues here https://t.co/4wOh7ZX8lN #texasnews
JUST IN: Apocalyptic scenes out of Houston, Texas as severe thunderstorms sweep through the city, demolishing buildings in the downtown area. 80 mph winds blew out windows in downtown Houston and knocked out power for 1 million residents. Four people have reportedly been… https://t.co/pwkemOcnKf
STREAMING NOW | Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire are giving an update on the response to yesterday's storms. Watch live: https://t.co/i4hIHxTsaL https://t.co/H9gFo6deDw
WATCH LIVE: Houston officials give update on severe weather https://t.co/DUrqFwZOYF
Houston officials give an update after devastating thunderstorms killed at least 4 people, blew out high-rise windows and knocked out power to nearly 1 million people Thursday https://t.co/DCha8X4WYD
Nearly 1 million homes and business remained without power Friday from Texas to Louisiana after fierce thunderstorms swept hurricane-force winds through Houston. At least four people have died. https://t.co/uKQhMz2y9Z https://t.co/hraRyHDyPw
Severe weather caused massive damage across the Houston area. These are photos and videos viewers shared with our sister station, KHOU. https://t.co/LjlVKXEaJ6
Hundreds of windows were shattered at downtown hotels and office buildings, with glass littering the streets below in Houston. 😨 https://t.co/pR37i7ducH
Nearly 1 million homes and business remained without power Friday from Texas to Louisiana after fierce thunderstorms swept hurricane-force winds through Houston, blowing windows out of downtown skyscrapers and toppling transmission towers. https://t.co/PE5tT5cXBG
Last night, significant storms swept through the Houston area, causing extremely high winds measuring up to 78mph at the major airports, up to 100mph based on radar measurements, and ~120mph at the highest floors of downtown skyscrapers based on meteorologist comments. These… https://t.co/jYMIO6mGad
Strong storms on Thursday night battered the Houston area, the largest city in the US state of Texas, claiming at least 4 lives while causing widespread power outages, property damage, and chaos across the city, according to the mayor. https://t.co/FYnwn4dAHC
Houston Mayor John Whitmire told CBS News 24/7 that the city is in recovery mode after Thursday's storm and urged people to stay home as hundreds of thousands are without power. “The power will be returned as quickly as possible. Be patient, look out for your neighbors.” https://t.co/QNTdMVjlIt
VIDEOS: Four dead, one million without power after massive storms slam Houston https://t.co/z3iv9YY6Tp
City officials have urged residents to keep off roads following Thursday's storms, as many were impassable and traffic lights were out. CenterPoint Energy has warned Houston-area customers to “be prepared for extended weather-related power outages.” https://t.co/2SmDFJ3WMo
NEW VIDEO: Extremely scary scenes out of Houston, TX yesterday as severe storms rocked the Wells Fargo Plaza. Millions are without power in Houston into this morning. Fatalities have also been confirmed. #TXwx https://t.co/OWSGGV98K0
A storm with hurricane-force winds pummels Texas, killing at least four https://t.co/oKv000INIn https://t.co/gX1GtyWI0l
The latest on the disaster in Texas, where severe thunderstorms with winds the equivalent of a Cat. 1 or low-end Cat. 2 hurricane barreled through Houston last night, killing at least 4 people. https://t.co/gzV7rrGnWh
Still nearly 800k people without power in the Houston, TX metro after a really rough line of storms moved from Texas yesterday and then through Louisiana last night. #txwx #lawx https://t.co/F4GWQ1HkeQ
Live updates: Houston wakes up to widespread destruction from Thursday's deadly storm https://t.co/fTZF3JY13A
Here’s the latest on Houston as a violent thunderstorm complex tore through the city Thursday evening, killing 4 people, and producing damage like a Category 1 or 2 hurricane with winds over 100 mph not far above the ground … https://t.co/NzYQxdWlUk
WATCH: Power lines went down after massive storm hits Houston area, about 1 million without power across Texas https://t.co/O7ZcNLljbl
Ferocious thunderstorms brought chaos to Houston on Thursday, with at least four people killed and almost 1 million homes and businesses left without power. https://t.co/eTVOSBsA60
🔴 Four killed by powerful thunderstorms battering Houston https://t.co/9WE9DdMpI0
Nearly a million people were left without power in Houston, Texas, as powerful storms with winds reaching 80 to 117 mph knocked down major power lines and shattered skyscraper windows. https://t.co/SZ4WGRlYTS
WATCH: Sky went black over Houston, four people died and almost one million were without power as severe storm ripped through Texas https://t.co/i7yWfrYlGU
Severe storms in southeast Texas leave several dead and many without power https://t.co/xFrTn9OcJG
Four dead, almost a million without power after storm rips through Texas again https://t.co/U6Q2mRkLhC https://t.co/6XW12ARpVR
#NDTVWorld | Hurricane-Force Storm Hits Houston Leaving 4 Dead https://t.co/q6wSnYc3vH https://t.co/XUbRvgMJFs
#Watch | Powerful winds shatter windows in Downtown #Houston, Texas Severe weather blew the windows out from at least two high-rise buildings in downtown Houston https://t.co/ss91WoexWs
Photos: Houston storm with hurricane-like winds causes destruction https://t.co/Qh7I9NPINQ
This damage is commensurate with winds well over 90 mph. Very probable one or more very significant micro/macrobursts, and/or potentially significant tornadoes, impacted the heart of Houston this evening. Four fatalities reported amid the episode. https://t.co/dOWD6qwhzw
Severe storms moved through the Houston area. Here's some of the damage https://t.co/WKFx0aPZIu
Houston is going to be without power for at least several days with all these lines down. https://t.co/gSQqlr9VdC
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: HOUSTON MAYOR CONFIRMS AT LEAST 4 PEOPLE ARE DEAD AFTER THE STORM Source: @BNONews, @Matt_TPJ , @Lieggiji, @PoojaOnTv https://t.co/4ag57p9qnM https://t.co/fY7B6ulBpo
Extremely powerful storms ripped through Houston tonight. https://t.co/nLWUFC4Cy8
Houston was hit a couple of hours ago by winds of over 80 mph- perhaps over 100. Getting reports of 4 dead and MAJOR damage across the city. (The storm looked frightful on radar).
Violent t'storms - w/ winds like Cat 1 or 2 hurricane -- blasted Houston this evening -- blowing out skyscraper windows, littering streets w/ glass, damaging roofs & toppling power transmitters. Fatalities reported. What we know (will be updated) ⬇️ https://t.co/NzYQxdWlUk
Damaging severe storms slammed Houston this evening. This view shows the lightning-packed storms from above. https://t.co/i97DcSMVIb
Severe storms moved through the Houston area, see the damage https://t.co/jObjlkzwvF
Intense satellite imagery of the damaging line of severe thunderstorms that just tore through #Houston, Texas causing widespread damage and knocking out power to millions of people. Radar indicated winds of 110 mph just above the surface as the storms moved through Houston,… https://t.co/zbF9pygb0n
Skyscraper windows blown out across downtown buildings in #houston as hurricane force winds tore through city. This will be an extensive (and expensive) clean-up job for many. @CNN https://t.co/pOJUMb2rWh
Intense satellite imagery of the damaging line of severe thunderstorms that just tore through #Houston, #Texas causing widespread damage and knocking out power to millions of people. Radar indicated winds of 110 mph just above the surface as the storms moved through Houston,… https://t.co/ZH4C7jcTZQ
NEW VIDEO! A tornado warned storm caused damage to buildings in downtown Houston earlier on Thursday. Take a look at some of the debris that cover that covers the streets this evening. #txwx https://t.co/lTEPGn16rZ
Million Texans Without Power As Storm Topples Transmission Towers Powerful storms tore through eastern Texas on Thursday evening, decimating transmission towers and plunging over a million residents into darkness. "Severe thunderstorms moving across the Houston metro area…
Severe storms with winds up to 80 mph ripped through d/t Houston earlier this evening, causing extensive damage. https://t.co/6AUS97ZHjh
HOUSTON: More than a million residents are without power as a result of 80-117 mph winds. Check on your family and friends. https://t.co/PDnFjU7Tdo
WATCH: Power lines down after severe storm hits the Houston area, nearly 1 million people without power https://t.co/rnJBhG7nru
#Houston #Thunderstorm Damage: Windows Blown Out From Skyscrapers, Debris Scattered On Ground| VIDEOS https://t.co/fi7WO8f5MN
Severe weather across Southeast Texas leaves many without power https://t.co/t9i2J7M1Qo
A severe destructive thunderstorm ripped through Houston Thursday evening, leading to several tornado warnings and reports across the region. Here's a look at the damage from the storms so far: https://t.co/Ft2ohvsoRC
Live updates: Hundreds of thousands without power as potentially tornadic thunderstorm hits Houston https://t.co/JBzYdd6sTR
Seeing lots of wind damage in Houston, TX this evening https://t.co/S514GWY6lL
Video: High rise windows blown out due to strong winds in Houston, Texas. https://t.co/Sj6h0P93Qw
Realistically, it will likely take several days (at least) to restore all power in the #Houston area. In the metro area, there is over 1 million without power (820,000+ in Harris County alone) from possibly the strongest wind event since Hurricane Ike (2008). #TXwx #HOUwx
WATCH: Another high-rise with blown out windows after strong winds in downtown Houston https://t.co/ajFLzyPtfW https://t.co/DBrVrpWpAc
BREAKING: Over 900,000 customers without power amid severe storm in Houston
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: SEVERE STORM HITS HOUSTON, SKYSCRAPER WINDOWS DAMAGED Windows blown out in multiple buildings, including CenterPoint and Total Energies towers. Over 900,000 customers without power. Streets blocked by trees and debris, traffic lights are out. Sources: Fox26,… https://t.co/eus5Llu5s6 https://t.co/gn5r1rDIft
Nearly 1 million customers in Texas were without power Thursday evening as an intense rainstorm swept through the Houston area https://t.co/9L9wqsEbEf
🚨#BREAKING: Nearly a Million are without Power as Powerful Storms Move through with 80-117 mph Winds Toppling large transmission power lines and Shattering skyscrapers Windows 📌#Houston | #Texas Currently nearly 935,000 customers in Houston Texas are without power with the… https://t.co/LiSbmRhiib
Power outages have ballooned to over 1 million customers across #texas with the vast majority coming from the #Houston metro region. Remember, customers ≠ number of people impacted. Likely millions without power tonight. 🙏🏼#HarrisCounty @cnn https://t.co/TAUD87DFVF https://t.co/e7swR3LQfS
Over 1 million customers without power now in the Houston, Texas region 😱
Over 1 million customers are now without power around the Houston metro area due to intense storms. #txwx #weather https://t.co/dreuVPrOVr
BREAKING: Widespread damage in Houston after severe storms roll through; windows blown out of skyscrapers downtown https://t.co/SDEEcWmGMe
Outages over 1 million now, and most of that is in Houston. Wow! https://t.co/phN9BB7RFm
Photos show widespread damage as severe thunderstorm rips through Houston https://t.co/6EV6XkjVvc
Per @PowerOutage_us, over 40% of Harris County is without power. https://t.co/RardlxcheP
4 out of 10 customers in Harris County (#Houston) are without power right now as a result of the intense storms that went through. That level of power outages can take days to repair. #TXwx #HOUwx https://t.co/Mu4aSohjfj
BREAKING: Damage to skyscrapers following severe thunderstorm in Downtown Houston, Texas https://t.co/763ojtf2KF
Insane building window damage in downtown Houston. https://t.co/QvlSPZXAoy
Video of intense straight line winds in the downtown Houston area earlier. Wind gusts of 80-100 mph was recorded across the area with nearly a million customers without power. 📸: Sunny Brown #txwx #weather https://t.co/c4Jt7luiZT
Destructive thunderstorm just passed through Houston. Nearly 800,000 customers without power in Harris County, or 40 percent of county. https://t.co/d7KJd7yByc
Power outages have soared to over 916K now in around the Houston metro. This after damaging winds 80-100 mph and embedded tornados. #txwx #Houston https://t.co/jw0zXNloWT
Enterprise Plaza, Wells Fargo Plaza also have blown out windows. There’s lots of glass on the sidewalks, streets. This is Louisiana & Lamar. Reminds me of archival video I’ve seen from Hurricane Alicia in 1983 #khou11 @KHOU https://t.co/wl4LDa3s1L https://t.co/D7hKV7GQay
Huge windstorm blew right through downtown Houston this eve...a ton of damage https://t.co/BcKKBKDaQr
Pics from emergency management in #HarrisCounty show extensive damage to electrical infrastructure. Power out for nearly 1/3 of county and over 750k+ for all of #Texas and growing. #houston @CNN https://t.co/5taRn2441f
The power outages surging toward one million people without power in the Houston metro. The winds 80-100+mph damage reports across the city! https://t.co/Hw6sG6Mrue
🚨🇺🇸BREAKING: THOUSANDS LEFT WITHOUT POWER AS 80 MPH WINDS BATTER HOUSTON, TORNADO REPORTED Houston faces chaos as 80 mph winds down power lines on US 290 near the 610 loop. Over 700,000 customers are reportedly without power across the area, and rush hour traffic is brought… https://t.co/MU8B6yS7Xq
Nearly 600,000 customers are without power in Harris county across the Houston metro area after intense storm went through. #txwx https://t.co/IuV7wj2XLV
The power outages now over 761K! Houston metro winds 80-100+mph damage reports across the city! https://t.co/VNdkFvVJgT
30% of Houston without power. #txwx https://t.co/jsMOaF3BQP
Wow. Windows blown out in the CenterPoint, Total Energies towers in downtown Houston.. Maybe others. Seeing trees and other debris on streets, some intersections blocked, traffic lights out. Meanwhile, an @astros game is happening #khou11 @KHOU https://t.co/qsKuZjRrds
Nearly 600,000 are without power in Harris County alone. That’s nearly a third of all customers in the county, which is one of the largest in America. #TXwx #HOUwx https://t.co/dehCzQNMKP
Power outage up to 593K around the Houston metro. Very damaging winds with embedded tornados. Damage reports starting to roll in now. # txwx https://t.co/AfH2riCeBJ
Live updates: Severe thunderstorm rips through Houston, tornado warning issued through 7:15 https://t.co/JBzYdd6sTR
Now over 340,000 customers without power just in Harris County (focused on #Houston). The line of storms is not through yet so these numbers could rise substantially. #TXwx #HOUwx