Houston’s NRG Stadium Roof Fails to Withstand Hurricane Beryl

HOUSTON – Powerful winds from Hurricane Beryl ripped off part of the roof of NRG Stadium after the Category 1 storm made landfall in Texas on Monday, sending a long path of destruction from the Gulf Coast and beyond Houston.

Beryl damage assessments continued Tuesday in East Texas. Millions of people in the Houston area remain without power and heat indices are expected to reach near 100 degrees for the rest of the work week.

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Aerial photos and video from FOX 26 Houston show that several panels of the NRG Stadium roof were damaged or completely torn off during the hurricane. NRG Park is operated by the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC) and is home to the Texans football team. NRG Stadium was one of the first NFL stadiums to feature a retractable roof.

HCSCC-NRG Park CEO Ryan Walsh confirmed in a statement that NRG Park sustained damage from the storm.

“Like many of our neighbors in the Gulf Coast region, NRG Park sustained damage from Hurricane Beryl, including to the roof of NRG Stadium. HCSCC officials are working with state, county and city officials to assist in recovery 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 the damage to NRG Park facilities. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors back to NRG Park once we resume normal operations,” Walsh said.

According to weather stations, Houston recorded wind gusts of at least 74 mph, with higher gusts in the Houston metro area and winds of more than 90 mph in some areas along the Gulf Coast.

NRG Stadium hosted the Copa América football tournament on July 4.

According to the event schedule, NRG Stadium will host Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey starting July 19.