At least four dead in storms in Houston area

Four people died and more than a million people were without power as severe thunderstorms swept across southeast Texas Thursday evening, bringing heavy rains, damaging winds and dangerous flooding to parts of the state that had already been inundated this month.

There were reports of shattered windows, shredded building facades and downed power lines in Houston as a powerful storm ripped through downtown. Four people were killed by falling trees, said Mary Benton, a spokeswoman for the mayor’s office. At least one of the victims was in a vehicle, she added. The Houston public school district said all schools would remain closed Friday.

Ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service in Houston warned people to take cover and prepare for winds of up to 80 miles per hour.

Meteorologists had also issued one Tornado warning for the area and a Special marine warning for the area including Galveston Bay.

Local newscasts reported extensive damage in downtown Houston, where a club emerging from the storm missed a brick wall, metal sign posts appeared twisted by the force of the wind and windows were blown out.

Forecasters issued a series of Flash Flood Warnings Earlier in the afternoon, he issued a warning to Texans in these areas across the state, warning them to seek higher ground and avoid driving on flooded roads.

Pictures and Videos circulating on social media emerged from east central Texas on Thursday showed vehicles that appeared to have problems Driving through flooded streets in College Station, Texas, where a flash flood warning was in effect throughout the evening.

A video posted that evening showed strong winds whipping large panel structures at Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros were playing the Oakland Athletics.

The Weather Prediction Center said earlier Thursday that more than 12 million people in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi were at risk of excessive rainfall that could lead to flash flooding, and warned Thursday evening of possible heavy rains and flooding north of the Houston area.

Lina Hidalgo, the top executive of Harris County, which includes Houston, said social media Rain was expected to move through Harris County “fairly quickly” Thursday evening.

“But the worst-case scenario would be that heavy rain could hit the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, impacting residents and ultimately leading to further flooding as we head into the weekend,” she said.

Parts of Harris County, including areas near the San Jacinto River, were already hit by severe flooding earlier this month. The flooding prompted Ms. Hidalgo to issue a disaster declaration that would bring federal aid to Harris County residents affected by the storms.