4 people killed in Houston after severe storm: NPR

Fans head to Minute Maid Park as a severe thunderstorm hits before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston.

Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP

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Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP

Fans head to Minute Maid Park as a severe thunderstorm hits before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston.

Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP

At least four people died in Houston as violent storms hit Texas on Thursday.

The official cause of death has not been determined, but authorities believe two people were killed by falling trees and one person was killed by a toppling crane, the county’s fire chief said. Houston, Samuel Pena.

The school district canceled classes for Friday and Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged nonessential workers to stay home and off the roads as glasses were scattered across downtown, Traffic lights went out across the city and trees and live wires blocked streets and highways.

The storms primarily affected northwest Houston, Houston Heights, the central business district and east Houston.

All city departments worked Thursday night to clear debris and open centers for people who need medical assistance, who are homeless or whose power has been cut.

Statewide, nearly 900,000 customers were without power as of early Friday morning, with most located in Harris County, where Houston is primarily located, according to poweroutage.us. Whitmire said it could take 24 to 48 hours for power to be restored.

He said the city hasn’t heard from anyone trapped, but there is a backlog of calls to 911. The majority of them have been about gas leaks, Peña said. The state sent Department of Public Safety officers to clear downtown so Houston police could focus on monitoring the calls.

Heavy rain is still forecast in the area Friday and flash flooding is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

“But the real goal tonight is to stay home,” Whitmire said. “Don’t travel on the roads. It’s dark. There are trees on the roads in Houston, so be very patient, be careful, look out for each other.”

He added: “Take care of your neighbors, your family, your pets and let’s move forward. »