The death toll from the severe storm that ravaged Houston, Texas, has risen to seven, authorities confirmed on Friday. The storm, which struck on Thursday, brought heavy rain and winds up to 100 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour), causing widespread destruction in the fourth-largest US city.
The powerful storm shattered windows in downtown buildings, leaving streets covered in glass. In residential areas, downed trees and power lines created hazardous conditions, and the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in the suburb of Cypress.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez provided details on the three latest fatalities. An 85-year-old woman died after her mobile home was struck by lightning and caught fire. A 60-year-old man, found unresponsive, was pronounced dead after attempting to power his oxygen tank using his truck during the widespread power outage. Additionally, a 57-year-old man collapsed and died while trying to move a downed power pole.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire had initially reported four deaths on Thursday, though details were not immediately available. In the aftermath of the storm, schools in Houston, a city of 2.3 million people with an economy centered around oil and petrochemicals, were closed on Friday, and non-essential workers were urged to stay home.
The impact of the storm has left the community reeling, with emergency services working tirelessly to restore power and clear debris from the affected areas.
