The passage of a storm system through Texas triggered tornadoes that caused severe property damage in several locations. High winds ripped off roofs, toppled trees and power poles, and overturned vehicles east of Houston. In addition, the storm caused power outages that left some 83,000 people without electricity. According to authorities, no serious injuries have yet been reported. The National Weather Service put Louisiana on a tornado watch for Wednesday.
The cause of these meteorological phenomena is Winter Storm Kassandra, which is affecting much of the middle of the country. In addition to the damage caused in Texas, Kassandra has brought large amounts of ice and snow also being tracked by weather authorities.
Evacuation of a nursing home
One of the hardest hit locations was Deer Park, Texas, southeast of Houston. In addition to property damage to numerous homes, a nursing home was completely evacuated. The tornado also tore off the roof of a Shell chemical plant in the town. A company spokesperson stressed that "there is no threat to the community, nor are there any indications a nearby tornado touched down within the Chemicals facility."
Drone survey of #tornado path in Deer Park, Texas earlier @accuweather pic.twitter.com/ZShB1xzPxm
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) January 25, 2023
No serious injuries have been reported
As a result of the storm, some 83,000 people were left without power, according to PowerOutage.us. Power providers have managed to cut this figure in half in less than 24 hours. Due to the magnitude of the devastation, Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. recommended that those who had no place to stay seek shelter outside the city. "There is one aspect of me that’s amazed that no one got injured," Mouton assessed. "We will deal with the property and recover and rebuild."
Deer Park tornado damage. So far only one minor injury reported in the community near Luella and Phyllis. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/cZdG8PEsdK
— Deven Clarke (@KPRC2Deven) January 24, 2023
Storm to arrive in Louisiana on Wednesday
After passing through Texas, the National Weather Agency said that Kassandra will reach southern Louisiana on Wednesday, where it could produce more tornadoes and winds topping 70 miles per hour in addition to severe precipitation.
A few tornadoes are likely with a couple of intense tornadoes possible. Damaging winds to 70 mph can also be expected as this intense line of severe thunderstorms moves across southern Louisiana. https://t.co/xFA7rMWu3e
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 24, 2023