Severe storms cause 260,000 power outages across Houston and North Texas

Severe thunderstorms have caused widespread power outages and dangerous weather conditions across southeastern Texas, particularly in the Houston metro area, where over 178,000 customers lost power. The storms brought high winds, heavy rainfall, and potential tornadoes, with wind gusts reaching up to 67 mph in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and a possible tornado south of Fort Worth under investigation. Power providers CenterPoint Energy and Entergy have mobilized crews to restore electricity despite ongoing severe weather, while authorities have issued tornado warnings for multiple counties including Harris, Montgomery, and Waller, urging residents to seek shelter. Flood watches and severe weather risks remain in effect, with forecasts indicating possible damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding due to intense rainfall rates. Meanwhile, in North Texas, thousands remain without power following storms, although the severe weather risk is currently lower. Emergency services continue to monitor the situation closely as restoration and safety efforts proceed in affected areas.