Winds Over 100 Mph Hit Houston Thursday Night

news image
Top Stories
18 May 2024 10:10 AM

Strong storms slammed the Houston metro on Thursday night, with widespread damage through downtown. On Friday afternoon the National Weather Service Office in Houston confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Cypress, TX (a suburb of Houston) along with straight-line wind damage in downtown Houston with peak winds over 100 mph. NWS also confirmed this was a "derecho" or long-track wind event that hit the city of Houston. According to the NOAA, a derecho is defined when a "swath of wind damage extends at least 400 miles (about 650 kilometers), is at least 60 miles (about 100 km) wide, includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph (93 km/h) along most of its length, and also includes several, well-separated 75 mph (121 km/h) or greater gusts."

Thousands of windows were blown out in Downtown Houston from the pressure differences and debris. Glass was shattered across the streets.

Power outages continue to dominate the Houston area. Sadly, four people lost their lives as a result of the severe weather in the city. Emergency officials urged people to avoid driving due to damage throughout the area.

Not only was severe weather a huge threat, but widespread heavy rain led to widespread flooding in east Texas and Louisiana. In fact, the rain was so heavy that it seeped through the covered stadium the Astros play in!

All Weather News
More
Severe Storms For The Southeast To Start Your Week

Severe Storms For The Southeast To Start Your Week

WHAT TO EXPECTThings will be active in the so

21 Sep 2026 6:10 PM
Tropics: Watching Multiple Systems

Tropics: Watching Multiple Systems

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

21 Sep 2026 5:55 PM
More Flooding Concerns Out East

More Flooding Concerns Out East

WHAT TO EXPECTRecord rainfall was set on Sund

21 Sep 2026 5:40 PM
Coastal Low Expected to Impact Northeast Late Week

Coastal Low Expected to Impact Northeast Late Week

Looking ahead, the forecast alludes to a stre

21 Sep 2026 5:30 PM
Storms Continue to Pummel the Rockies

Storms Continue to Pummel the Rockies

Severe storms and heavy rain have been target

21 Sep 2026 1:25 AM
Finally Cooling Down; Cold Front Arrives Just in Time for Fall

Finally Cooling Down; Cold Front Arrives Just in Time for Fall

It's been a long, hot summer. That might be a

20 Sep 2026 1:25 PM
Lake Powell Drops to Record Low

Lake Powell Drops to Record Low

The second largest reservoir in the United St

20 Sep 2026 8:05 AM