Tornado chaos hits Houston: Air travel disrupted across U.S.
Four tornadoes struck the Houston area in Texas on Saturday, paralyzing air traffic and causing thousands of flight delays across the U.S.
The Houston area endured devastating tornadoes that swept through Brazoria County, damaging homes and destroying trees. Tragically, one person lost their life, and four others were injured as a result of the disaster.
This marks the second time in just three days that strong storms have battered Austin, Harris, Montgomery, Liberty, and Galveston counties. Local authorities report significant damage to homes and schools. Photos on social media depict building ruins and broken trees and power poles.
Tornado moves through the US: Disruptions in air traffic
Severe weather conditions have affected holiday travel nationwide. Heavy snowfall and strong winds on the West Coast led to delays and cancellations of thousands of flights. According to FlightAware, on Saturday, over 7,000 flights faced delays, and more than 200 were canceled.
The National Weather Service is warning of further threats. In the western U.S., winds reached speeds of up to 150 mph at high elevations in the Tahoe Basin and 50 mph in lower areas. Heavy rainfall is expected from San Francisco to Portland.
Meteorologists predict that up to 40 inches of snow could fall in the Lake Tahoe area before New Year's Eve. Destructive winds may knock down trees and power lines. "Widespread power outages are possible," warns the NWS.
