Powerful storm leaves Texas without power

Nearly a million homes and businesses were without power as a result of the storm in southeast Texas. The city of Houston was hit hardest, where at least four people died, the Associated Press reports .

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said two residents were killed by falling trees and another by a crane that overturned during the storm.

Severe weather hit southeast Texas for the second time in a month. Strong winds blew out windows in high-rise buildings, knocked down trees and downed power lines. According to Houston authorities, debris from fallen trees and power lines has formed in some areas of the city. Officials are advising local residents to stay away from highways as traffic lights are still not working on the roads.

The mayor of Houston also added that wind speeds in some places reached 160 kilometers per hour. “Our first responders will be working around the clock,” Whitmire said, noting that the powerful wind gusts were reminiscent of Hurricane Ike, which hit the U.S. South Coast in 2008.

At least 113 people were killed and another 16 were missing. During the hurricane, waves that reached six meters in height completely demolished the dam in the Texas port of Galveston, and more than three million Texans were left without power. The wind speed then reached 180 kilometers per hour.

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