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Houston NRG Stadium roof damaged by Hurricane Beryl – Houston Public Media

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NRG-Astrodome Stadium

Lucio Vasquez / Houston Public Media

FILE: NRG Stadium, right, opened in 2002 and sits next to the Astrodome in south Houston.

One of Houston’s largest and most recognizable buildings suffered the brunt of the damage from Hurricane Beryl.

The deadly storm that hit southeast Texas Monday morning, downing trees and knocking out power to more than 2.2 million customers, ripped off part of the roof of NRG Stadium. Several roof panels are missing from the stadium of the Houston Texans, an NFL team, as well as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, according to aerial footage taken Tuesday by KHOU television.

The Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC), which operates the stadium and surrounding NRG Park, confirmed the roof damage in a statement Tuesday.

RELATED: When will my power be restored after Hurricane Beryl?

“Like many of our neighbors in the Gulf Coast region, NRG Park sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl, including to the roof of NRG Stadium,” said CEO and Executive Director Ryan Walsh. “HCSCC officials are working with state, county and city officials to assist in rebuilding efforts across the region. This collective endeavor requires all of us to work together with a strong commitment to our community. As we participate in these efforts, we are also assessing the extent of damage to NRG Park facilities.”

The Houston area as a whole was assessing storm damage and beginning recovery efforts Tuesday, a day after Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of about 80 mph (130 kph). The eye of the hurricane passed directly over Houston, with the storm causing at least seven deaths in the area as well as widespread flooding.

RELATED: Cooling centers, shelters open in Houston area after Hurricane Beryl

NRG Stadium, built south of Houston next to the iconic Astrodome, is a retractable-roof stadium that opened in 2002 as Reliant Stadium. It has a capacity of over 72,000 for professional football games and over 80,000 for special events, having hosted two Super Bowls, college football and men’s basketball national championship games, and international soccer matches. NRG Stadium is expected to host FIFA World Cup matches in 2026.

The stadium’s roof was also damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008, costing approximately $5 million to repair.

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