Severe Storm Floods Communities Around Houston, Closing Schools
Published on May 17, 2024
A storm ripped through southeast Texas on May 16, flooding communities around Houston, killing at least four people, interrupting power for residents in Texas and Louisiana, and leading to the cancellation of classes for 400,000 students in Houston. The storm included tornados and winds upwards of 100 mph, similar to Hurricane Ike in 2008, which was one of the country’s costliest natural disasters, according to a briefing from Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Rainfall reached three to six inches north of Houston, with 6.9 inches reported near Romayor. As the storm travels east, a local branch of the National Weather Service urged New Orleans residents to “TAKE COVER NOW!” as 70 mph winds could batter the city throughout the day....