Harris County and surrouding counties were rocked by severe storms and multiple confirmed tornadoes on Saturday, leaving behind widespread damage and heartbreak. But as recovery efforts begin, local and state officials are working to support those affected, and the community is rallying together.
Twister tears through North Katy: Homes destroyed, vehicles flipped - but no injuries
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Harris County gets hit, but dodges the worst
Harris County, including the city of Houston, saw some damage, particularly in the northwest areas, according Judge Lina Hildago. Tornado activity tore through homes, fences, and trees, but thankfully, there were no reports of serious injuries in the county.
TAKE A LOOK: Photos, videos show reported tornadoes in Houston area
Hidalgo expressed sympathy for those who were hardest hit, saying, “While we didn’t face the worst impacts here, our hearts go out to those in neighboring communities where the damage is much worse, including the tragic loss of life.”
Early reports suggest the hardest-hit areas in Harris County were near Cypress, where the storm’s tornadoes caused significant property damage. Officials are continuing to assess the situation.
Breaking down the tornadoes by county
So, just how bad was the storm? According to the National Weather Service, there were eight confirmed tornadoes across the region, with significant damage reported in several counties:
Brazoria County: A tornado, rated EF-2, started down by County Road 172 on the southwest side and moved toward the eastern edge of Hillcrest. It traveled for about 8.8 miles. The worst damage was seen at Walt Disney Elementary School. Sadly, there was one fatality and several injuries as a result of this storm.
READ MORE: 1 fatality, 4 injured following Brazoria County tornado
Galveston County: An EF-1 tornado briefly touched down in a neighborhood just east of Dickinson High School. It had a short path, only about 250 yards long. The tornado caused significant roof damage to a few homes in the area.
Montgomery County: The storms hit hard here, too, with tornadoes reported in the Conroe area. Reports of destroyed homes and downed trees came in early. An EF-3 tornado hit the Porter Heights area, causing severe damage. Several spots in the area also saw EF-2 level damage.
READ MORE: Tornado rips through Montgomery County extensively damaging properties and causing minor injuries
Chambers County: An EF-3 tornado hit along Highway 124, just south of FM 1941. There was also some EF-2 damage between Smith Point and the Chambers-Jefferson County line.
Statewide efforts: A coordinated response
State officials have mobilized significant resources to help those impacted by the storms. Acting Governor Dan Patrick expressed his condolences, saying, “Please join Jan and me in prayer for the impacted families and their communities. Texas state agencies are working hard to assist our fellow Texans.”
The state’s response has been swift, with over 300 responders deployed, including search-and-rescue teams, boat squads with rescue swimmers, and equipment to keep roads safe. Volunteers are also pitching in to provide much-needed support.
Next steps
With the immediate damage assessed, the next steps in recovery will involve restoring services, repairing homes, and providing assistance to those who’ve lost everything.
