Houston ISD cancels school Friday due to severe storms

“Due to widespread damage in Houston, HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17,” the district said in a statement. “Schools will reopen on Monday May 20.”

The district’s announcement comes after the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Houston until 10 p.m. Thursday and a flood watch until 7 a.m. Friday.

The storm’s strong winds and heavy rain caused power outages for more than 890,000 people and ripped out windows from several buildings. As of 8:15 p.m., there were more than 3,500 active outages in the area, including Montrose, Midtown and Heights.