by Spring, TX — A tornado touched down near Houston, Texas, on Monday afternoon, leaving multiple homes damaged and causing widespread disruptions in northwest Harris County. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid the affected areas while first responders assess the damage and restore safety.
Tornado Hits Memorial Northwest Neighborhoods
Mark Herman, Harris County Constable for Precinct 4, reported that deputies were responding to the Memorial Northwest neighborhoods of Spring, a suburb located 26 miles north of Houston.
“Multiple homes have been struck and sustained significant damage,” Herman said on Facebook, adding that calls continue to come in from residents reporting property damage. He urged the public to keep roadways clear for emergency crews.
Eyewitness Video Captures Tornado
A video shared on X by Grayson Moore shows a large funnel cloud touching down near State Highway 249, a major commuter route linking Houston to Tomball and surrounding northwest suburbs. Moore described the scene:
“Lots of lightning strikes around the office and saw wind pickup and windows buckled with a pressure drop…”
The video highlights the significant threat tornadoes pose to public safety and infrastructure, particularly in densely populated areas like Houston.
Damage and Emergency Response
The tornado tore down trees and power lines, prompting road closures and power outages across affected neighborhoods. While there were no immediate reports of injuries, authorities confirmed that crews were responding to multiple emergency calls throughout Memorial Northwest.
Deputies continue to clear debris, assist stranded motorists, and check on impacted neighborhoods, according to Herman. Residents were advised to treat all downed power lines as live and report any hazardous conditions immediately.
Tornado Warnings and Weather Alerts
The National Weather Service (NWS) Houston/Galveston issued both a tornado watch and tornado warnings for Harris and Montgomery counties, including communities such as:
The Woodlands, Spring, Oak Ridge North, Shenandoah, Chateau Woods, and Porter Heights.
- The tornado warning, active from approximately 1:38 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. CST, was based on spotter reports of funnel clouds near Willowbrook, Jersey Village, and Hooks Airport.
- Hazards included damaging tornadoes, hail, and flying debris.
- A tornado watch indicates conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while a tornado warning signals an imminent threat, requiring residents to seek immediate shelter.
Tornado Risk in Texas
Although many tornadoes occur in the traditional “Tornado Alley” spanning Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of the Midwest, Texas leads the nation in annual tornado occurrences due to its size and geographical location. Tornadoes can form any time of year, but are most frequent in spring and early summer.
Officials Urge Vigilance
Authorities remind residents to:
- Avoid travel if possible
- Stay indoors during severe storms
- Report downed power lines and hazardous conditions
- Exercise caution while traveling near debris-covered areas
Flight operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport are expected to resume as conditions improve, but officials cautioned that additional severe weather could still impact the region.
Did you witness the tornado or experience damage in Spring or the Houston area? Share your experience and safety tips in the comments below!
