Severe Storm Floods Communities Around Houston, Closing Schools

Officials expect the storm to inundate areas from Louisiana east into Florida and North Carolina throughout May 17 and into the weekend.
Severe Storm Floods Communities Around Houston, Closing Schools
A man walks over fallen bricks from a damaged building in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm, in Houston on May 17, 2024. David J. Phillip/AP Photo
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A storm ripped through southeast Texas on May 16, flooding communities around Houston, killing at least four people, interrupting power for residents in Texas and Louisiana, and leading to the cancellation of classes for 400,000 students in Houston.

The storm included tornados and winds upwards of 100 mph, similar to Hurricane Ike in 2008, which was one of the country’s costliest natural disasters, according to a briefing from Houston Mayor John Whitmire. Rainfall reached three to six inches north of Houston, with 6.9 inches reported near Romayor.

Jacob Burg
Jacob Burg
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Jacob Burg reports on national politics, aerospace, and aviation for The Epoch Times. He previously covered sports, regional politics, and breaking news for the Sarasota Herald Tribune.