HOUSTON – Severe thunderstorms are moving through the Houston area beginning Monday evening. Tornadoes, hail, damaging winds and flooding are all possible through Tuesday morning
As severe weather moves through the Houston area, follow our coverage in our live blog below:
10:22 A.M. - Elgin, Texas experiences storm damage
Just drove past some damaged power lines and debris in Elgin, TX about 30 miles from Round Rock. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Q5FgvYlZK0
— Taisha Walker (@KPRC2Taisha) March 22, 2022
KPRC 2 reporter Taisha Walker saw damaged power lines and debris as she drove through Elgin, Texas. Elgin is about 30 miles from Round Rock.
8:38 A.M. - KPRC 2 reporter Zach Lashway experiencing hail while driving into Bush Airport
That’s hail… made it to the airport safely.
— Zach Lashway (@KPRC2Zach) March 22, 2022
Be careful!!! @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/adJ4hT854j
KPRC 2 reporter Zach Lashway says hail is pounding vehicles as they pull up to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Safe travels, Zach!
8:23 A.M. - Round Rock officials assessing damage, assisting affected residents following severe weather
The City of Round Rock is assessing damage and assisting affected residents following severe weather Monday evening.
Do you have damage to report? Visit damage.tdem.texas.gov and select “March Severe Weather.”
If your home was destroyed or significantly damaged and you need help, you can also call 800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org.
8:12 A.M. - 18-wheeler overturned on East Sam Houston Tollway at Greenshadow due to wind gusts
⚠️TRAFFIC ALERT⚠️
— Harris County Toll Road Authority (@HCTRA) March 22, 2022
East Sam Houston Tollway @ Greenshadow: Overturned 18-wheeler due to wind gust. No serious injuries.
Left insIde lane is open. Heavy duty wrecker en route to the scene. Use caution in the area and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/Q47xHyZp4d
An overturned 18-wheeler has blocked East Sam Houston Tollway at Greenshadow, Harris County Toll Road Authority said.
According to HCTRA, it happened as a result of wind gusts. Authorities said no injuries have been reported.
The left inside lane is open and a heavy-duty wrecker is en route to the scene. Drivers are urged to take another route as delays are expected in the area.
7:47 A.M. - Crockett residents experiencing severe damage due to storms
Homes have been destroyed and trees have been uprooted due to severe storms in Crockett, Texas.
Officials said power lines are also down and some people have experienced injuries, causing them to be transported to the hospital.
Authorities are working to survey the damage.
7:17 A.M. - Drivers urged to travel cautiously as rain pours northbound on I-45
Be careful, drivers!
Traffic is starting to build up and rain is coming down hard northbound on I-45.
KPRC 2 reporter Sofia Ojeda is urging drivers to stay off the roads until 9 a.m., if possible.
7:06 A.M. - Nearly 17,000 power outages reported throughout Houston area due to severe weather
Multiple power outages are reported throughout the Houston area due to severe thunderstorms.
As of 7 a.m., over 16,775 customers have lost power in parts of Wharton County and northwest Harris County.
You can check the outage maps here.
6:54 A.M. - Bush Airport experiencing 1-hour delays on all flights
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is currently experiencing one-hour delays on all flight arrivals and departures due to severe weather conditions across Houston.
Check here to see if your flight has been affected.
4:21 A.M. - Power lines down in Crockett due to severe weather
Power lines are currently down in different areas of Crockett, Texas due to fallen trees.
A tornado hit the small town, causing major damages and road closures.
2 A.M. - KPRC 2 viewers in the San Antonio area sent in these images of hail in their area
sylsalinas
Hailing in Canyon Lake
12:17 A.M. -- Tornado rips through Madisonville. All 4,00 residents in the area are without power.
A tornado rips through Madisonville. The police chief says pretty much all 4,400 residents are without power. We’re seeing downed power lines and destroyed structures, but fortunately no injuries reported. Officials working through the night to asses damages & check on residents pic.twitter.com/zNunYsxVqH
— Deven Clarke (@KPRC2Deven) March 22, 2022
10:23 P.M. - The Harris County Clerk’s Office (HCCO) will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22.
The Harris County Clerk’s Office (HCCO) will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22 as a precaution to potential severe weather. Safety is the primary factor for the delayed opening. For updates check back here or visit https://t.co/MNSlyK6iT9. #hounews #weatheralert #harriscounty pic.twitter.com/Jsz7GXeUbs
— Office of County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth (@harriscotxclerk) March 22, 2022
10:00 P.M. -- Tornado hits Round Rock and causes damage to several areas
9:00 P.M. -- Tornado spotted at Walmart in Round Rock
6:09 p.m. -- Families in Kingwood area on standby and prepare for severe weather
6:07 p.m. -- Cy-Fair Fire Department staged in different areas ahead of storms
6:06 p.m. -- How residents are preparing for severe weather and flood threats in west Harris County
At the Houston Fire Department, water rescue boats are gassed up and ready to go.
“Right now we have nine high water vehicles that are fully operational, 11 rescue boats, 20 flat bottom evacuation boats and we’ve got a couple more boats and jet skis strategically placed around the city,” Martee Boose, Houston Fire Department said.
Their main message is for drivers to take extra precautions.
“If you do encounter any street flooding or any pools of water, please turn around,” Boose said. “Don’t drown.”
In the Bear Creek area near Addicks Reservoir, Maria Stacy has seen water quickly fill her neighborhood.
“Half the time people can’t even get in here,” Stacy said. “They’ll have to stop right there and they can’t even come in. They have to wait till the rain goes down.”
She and her husband are going on lockdown for the next 24 hours.
“It’s supposed to be really bad so we want to make sure that we are safe,” she said.
George Buenik the Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the city of Houston says they are more concerned about high winds and debris.
“Our Houston public works has already reduced the water level by one foot, so when we do get that higher than normal rain levels north of I-10 lake Houston should be able to handle that,” he said.
Buenik says they met with CenterPoint and they will have crews on standby. He says one of the best ways to stay safe is to stay off the roads.
“If you don’t have to be on the road past midnight we encourage you to stay home,” he said.
OEM will have debris collection crews on standby. You can report debris by calling 311.