Dangerous weather batters Texas: A foot of rain, tornadoes and more

Gabe Hauari and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY
Updated ·3 min read
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Drenching rain swamped southern Texas Friday morning, leading to dangerous flash flooding throughout the region, including in the Houston metro area. The flooding forced people from their homes near the San Jacinto River Thursday night.

Rain gauges in the northern part of the metro area reported between 10 and 12 inches of rain in 24 hours, AccuWeather said.

The heavy rain was part of a sprawling weather system that also brought severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to portions of the state on Thursday.

Injuries reported as tornadoes batter Texas

Multiple tornadoes had battered Texas on Thursday near Abilene, including one in Hawley that damaged several homes. The National Weather Service said two people were injured when their home suffered storm damage in nearby Hodges, Texas, FoxWeather reported.

"We've had multiple confirmed tornadoes this evening," said the National Weather Service office in San Angelo on X Thursday evening. "Please stay weather aware and make sure you have a way to receive warnings!" The weather service also posted a map showing where the tornadoes hit.

The Hawley Independent School District said in a statement on Facebook that the "Hawley community has been hit pretty hard and we have several families that have lost homes." The district said that while the school seems to have been spared major damage, there is "pretty substantial" flooding on the grounds.

The district also said that Friday will be a flex day for students, meaning the school will be open and on regular schedule for students that can attend, however attendance is not mandatory and will not be taken.

Photos of the Hawley, Texas tornado

A tornado spins west of Hawley, Texas as cars pass on U.S. 277 on May 2, 2024. Damage was reported in Hawley, with hail reported up to baseball size.
A tornado spins west of Hawley, Texas as cars pass on U.S. 277 on May 2, 2024. Damage was reported in Hawley, with hail reported up to baseball size.
People watch the progress of the storm along U.S. 277 in Texas between Abilene and Hawley on May 2, 2024.
People watch the progress of the storm along U.S. 277 in Texas between Abilene and Hawley on May 2, 2024.
A tornado spins west of Hawley, Texas as cars pass on U.S. 277 May 2, 2024.
A tornado spins west of Hawley, Texas as cars pass on U.S. 277 May 2, 2024.

San Jacinto River evacuation order

In the southeast portion of the state, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday issued a disaster declaration and a mandatory evacuation for residents on the East Fork of the San Jacinto River in Houston during a news conference.

Hidalgo said residents must evacuate their homes because of high water risk and that they should leave as soon as possible. Officials said that section of the San Jacinto River is nearing 78 feet above sea level, which is about three feet below Hurricane Harvey water levels.

Texas weather forecast for Friday and the weekend

The National Weather Service office in San Angelo said that severe weather potential continues in the area Friday with a marginal to slight risk of severe storms in the afternoon and evening.

"Large hail, damaging winds and even a tornado will again be possible," the NWS said.

As for Saturday, the weather service said more widespread thunderstorms during the day and night will lead to "a chance for heavy rainfall across portions of West Central Texas, mainly across the Big Country and the Heartland."

The NWS says the rainfall could be heavy enough to cause flash flooding of streets, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas. Additionally, storms Saturday will pose the "greatest risk for very large hail greater than 2 inches in diameter."

A Flood Watch is in effect in the Houston-Galveston area through Friday, with flooding being especially hazardous at night, the NWS said.

"Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms continue today, mainly north of I-10 and east of I-45," the NWS said Friday morning. "Heavy rainfall potential exists and could result in flash flooding. A few storms may become strong to severe with hail and strong gusts as the main risks," the NWS said.

Texas severe weather watches and warnings

Here's a look at a map of the watches and warnings across the state.

Texas power outage map

Nearly 30,000 power outages were reported across Texas as of 6:40 a.m. local time Friday, according to a USA TODAY power outage tracker. The number declined later Friday morning.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Severe weather in Texas: Tornadoes, evacuation order, weekend forecast