Severe weather sweeps through Eastern Texas
On this Memorial Day, northeastern Texas is facing the aftermath of intense thunderstorms, with over 56,000 residents left without power. The most affected areas include Houston, Jasper, San Augustine, Rusk, and Henderson counties. These storms have brought damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain, causing significant disruptions to holiday plans across the Southern Plains.
Meteorological warnings and ongoing risks
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood watches and flash flood warnings throughout eastern Texas, highlighting the potential for scattered to widespread flash flooding. According to their forecast, multiple storm waves are set to impact not just Texas, but also regions across the Mid-South and the Tennessee Valley, increasing the likelihood of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and excessive rainfall.
Earlier this Monday morning, the first round of storms hit the Piney Woods region, while a second wave is expected to sweep across the Houston area later tonight, intensifying the already dangerous situation.
Utility companies battle damage and delays
Oncor, the state’s largest energy provider, reported that more than 34,000 of its customers had lost service. In a weather alert posted on its website, Oncor confirmed that crews have been working overnight, assessing storm-related damages and restoring power. However, flooding and unsafe conditions have posed major delays, limiting access for repair teams in several counties.
In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Oncor assured residents that restoration efforts are active and ongoing, and crews will remain on-site throughout the night as conditions allow.
Forecast into Tuesday
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill emphasized that repetitive rounds of rainfall will persist through the night, with northern Texas and parts of the Ozarks likely to see increasing flood risks. While the heaviest rains have not yet impacted some regions, forecasts suggest that pockets of intense precipitation will develop as the system progresses.
Most flood alerts are expected to expire by Tuesday morning, once the second wave of storms moves eastward and precipitation tapers off. Until then, weather conditions remain volatile, with an ongoing threat of sudden floods and wind-related hazards in storm-prone zones.
