State of emergency in Texas after deadly storm

Houston

State of emergency in Texas after deadly storm

Astrid Larsson

Published 2024-05-18 08.59

A state of emergency prevails in Texas in the USA after a severe storm hit the state.

At least seven people have died and close to a million households are without power.

Last night, President Joe Biden approved emergency aid to the state due to the extensive natural disaster.

The severe storm moved in over Houston, Texas, on Thursday night local time. Pictures show fallen power line poles and trees, and how skyscrapers had quantities of glass panes blown out.

Almost a million subscribers were left without power, AP reports.

 

A car crushed by falling bricks. Residents clean up after an apartment building was destroyed in the storm. 1 / 2 Photo: David J. Phillip / TT News Agency

Seven dead in the storm

According to Houston Mayor John Whitmire, falling trees are behind two of the deaths. A third person is said to have died when a crane overturned in the strong winds.

On Friday evening, local officials confirmed that four more people have died, the BBC reports.

Among other things, an 85-year-old woman is said to have died in a fire that was triggered by a lightning strike, a 57-year-old man died when he tried to move a damaged electricity pole and another woman died when a tree fell on her car, writes the BBC.

 

 

 

The windows of several skyscrapers have given way to the strong winds.
Broken glass on the streets of downtown Houston.
Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in the state.
Downed power lines.
1 / 4Photo: Jon Shapley / AP

Biden: "A major disaster"

On Friday, President Joe Biden also stated that it is a major disaster that has hit Texas. He ordered federal aid to the areas hardest hit by the storm.

The authorities also warn of tornadoes and floods.

“Seek shelter now if you are in the path of this storm. Get to the bottom floor,” the US weather agency NWS wrote on Friday.

Air traffic to and from Houston's two largest airports was temporarily halted and schools in the city remained closed on Friday.

A powerful storm has wreaked havoc in Houston. Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/AP