On the evening of May 16, a derecho moved into SE TX. This resulted in extensive wind damage across much of the Greater Houston area, including much of Downtown Houston.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS HGX wrote it up.
On the evening of May 16, a derecho moved into SE TX. This resulted in extensive wind damage across much of the Greater Houston area, including much of Downtown Houston. Maximum wind gusts were estimated to have reached over 100 mph. Additionally, the system produced two tornadoes and widespread flash flooding. Power outages resulting from the derecho lasted multiple days for hundreds of thousands of people.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Houston/Galveston, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 16, 1:45 PM CST, 1 hour 3 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
245 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, MARINE, HYDROLOGY...
.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Friday Night)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
As of the time of writing (2PM CDT), a strengthening MCS is
approaching the area from the NW, with large-scale development aided
via the approach of a robust midlevel trough which continues to
swing westward into the Southern Plains. The continued approach of
this system, and its eventual impacts on SE TX throughout the
remainder of the afternoon and evening, presents both a severe
weather and a potentially significant flash flooding concern.
As indicated by recent SPC mesoanalysis, environmental conditions
ahead of the system's approach remain favorable for both heavy rain
and severe storms. This includes:
- Abundant moisture availability, with total PWs of 1.8 to 2.2 in
across portions of the area and a steady low-level jet continuing to
supply the region with warm, moist Gulf air.
- Ample instability, with SB CAPE values in the region of 3000 -
4500 J/kg across portions of the area as well as limited convective
inhibition (CIN) and mid-level lapse rates of 7-8 degC/km.
- Effective layer bulk shear of approximately 50-60 knots, with
forecast soundings indicating a favorable backing directional shear
profile.
- A pocket of effective layer helicity of approximately 200 m^2/s^2
across portions of the Greater Houston area, supporting the isolated
tornado risk.
- Forecast Downdraft CAPE (DCAPE) values of approximately 700-1100
J/kg over the next several hours.
As such, we continue to keep a close eye on the radar over the next
4-6 hours. Stronger storms may produce large hail and strong wind
gusts, as well as the aforementioned isolated tornado threat.
Thunderstorm activity should become widespread over the next 1-2
hours as the complex pushes roughly from the NW to the SE, first
reaching the Brazos Valley and advancing towards the coast as we
head into the evening. Development will be further aided by the
presence of a stalled warm frontal boundary, which is expected to
sit just north of the I-10 corridor and extend to the east into the
Piney Woods region. Given this setup, along with the significant
ground saturation in place from recent rainfall, has resulted in the
WPC placing the region (roughly NE of metro Houston) in a High Risk
area for Excessive Rainfall. High resolution models indicate the
potential for 3-6" of new rainfall across the area through this
evening, with some locally higher amounts in excess of 6" possible
where the strongest storms set up. In addition to flash flooding,
this rainfall (and the subsequent runoff) will contribute and/or
exacerbate flooding along area rivers, streams, and creeks.
Further south and southwest, we continue to anticipate the potential
for 2-4" of new rainfall for metro Houston and lower (0.5-2")
amounts closer to the coast. Storms should generally push through
the Brazos Valley between around 3-5PM, metro Houston around 5-7PM
and the coast around 7-9PM. Some lingering showers may persist
further into the evening, particularly along the coast. The warm
frontal boundary will sag southward with the complex, likely
stalling out near the coast.
Tomorrow, the approach of a weak shortwave along with the presence
of a stalled boundary near the coast will result in another round of
scattered showers and storms. This will not present nearly as
significant as a severe weather/flooding threat as today, but will
nonetheless produce some additional measurable rainfall (especially
along and south of the I-10 corridor).
Cady
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Saturday through next Wednesday)
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
Quieter weather conditions are expected in the long term period. A
warming trend with near to above normal temperatures is expected as
ridging aloft builds over Mexico. The NAEFS/GEFS standardized
anomaly table maintains 1 to 2 standard deviations above normal for
500mb heights from next Monday through the end of the week. This
adds confidence that hot conditions will return into our area. With
sfc high pressure to our east, a southerly warm and humid airmass
will continue to filter in, resulting in hot and muggy conditions
through the week. Highs will generally range into the upper 80s to
mid 90s. Overnight lows mainly in the low 70s. A cool front will
attempt to move across the region by mid-week. Given the strong
influence of the ridge aloft; any precipitation will need to fight
the amount of dry layer at mid-levels. Have only included around 15
percent of PoP across our far northern counties for Wednesday and
Thursday.
JM
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 1230 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
A mix of MVFR to VFR conditions currently across SE TX sites. SE
winds of 10-15 KTS with gusts up to 25 KTS for today as a llvl jet
remains over our region. This afternoon, expect showers and
storms developing over portions of the CWA. A line of storms
developing along and near a boundary is currently making its way
into the Houston County border and is expected to continue further
south into the Brazos Valley and Piney Woods region this
afternoon and into the central portion (near I-10) sometime late
afternoon into the evening hours. Will need to keep a close eye on
this line given that some storms could be strong to severe and
will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and
frequent lightning. Periods of heavy rainfall can also be expected
and would result in IFR vis at times. The stronger activity is
still expected to occur mainly for areas north of the I-10
corridor, but areas south of it could still have iso strong storms
at times. Another hazard to note is the possibility for llvl wind
shear to occur at times. SH/TS are expected to dissipate or move
away from our region by around midnight CT.
MVFR cigs and VRB winds expected tonight into early Fri morning
for most sites as the boundary moves closer towards the bays but
could stall as it does so. For now we are expecting for most sites
to be under N-NE winds thru Fri afternoon with GLS/LBX possibly
holding on to the SE wind direction for the rest of the TAF
period. This would ultimately depend on where the boundary stalls.
Cigs are expected to gradually lift later in the day, but will
also depend on where the location of the boundary.
Cotto (24)
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
A few showers and storms can be expected this afternoon and evening
ahead of a disturbance and a frontal boundary moving through SE TX.
The best precipitation chances will be on Friday along the
aforementioned boundary. Moderate onshore winds and seas around 3 to
5 ft are expected tonight. Small Craft Should Exercise Conditions
are in effect for all Gulf waters. Winds may reach advisory levels
at times. A brief window of offshore winds are expected by Friday as
the boundary moves through the waters. This boundary will possibly
stall over the coast through Saturday. Dry weather with light to
moderate onshore winds and low seas are expected for the remainder
of the period.
JM
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 242 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
Areas of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue to
affect portions of Southeast TX through early tonight. Periods of
heavy rainfall is expected with this activity through this evening
with some rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible.
Rainfall totals are estimated to be 3 to 6 inches with isolated
higher amounts for areas north of I-10 and 1 to 3 inches with
isolated higher amounts elsewhere.
Flash flooding can be expected as well as rises in rivers, small
streams, creeks and bayous. Runoff and rainfall over the rivers
upstream can result in further rises along the rivers over the next
few days.
Minor to major river flooding continues for parts of Southeast
Texas, particularly along portions of the Trinity and Brazos rivers.
The following river points are either currently in flood stage or
are forecast to reach flood stage (as of Thursday afternoon):
- Trinity River (Liberty): Major Flood Stage
- Trinity River (Goodrich): Minor Flood Stage rising to Major
- Trinity River (Riverside): Moderate Flood Stage
- Trinity River (Moss Bluff): Moderate Flood Stage
- Trinity River (Crockett): Minor Flood Stage
- East Fork San Jacinto (New Caney): Minor Flood Stage rising to
Moderate
- Navasota River (Normangee): Minor Flood Stage rising to Moderate
- Brazos River (Rosharon): Minor Flood Stage
- Menard Creek (Rye): Rising to Minor Flood Stage
- Brazos River (Sugar Land): Rising to Minor Flood Stage
Soils are already saturated from the previous rounds of rainfall in
the Piney Woods and this is where we expect the highest rainfall
totals once again, so we could see the rain become runoff fairly
quickly and caused additional responses along area rivers/creeks.
Please be sure to stay up to date on the latest forecast information.
Please monitor updated forecasts via the NWS AHPS website and/or
the new NWS NWPS webpage (https://water.noaa.gov/) as the river
flood threat continues.
Cotto
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL) 67 82 67 89 / 70 20 10 10
Houston (IAH) 69 83 69 91 / 80 30 20 10
Galveston (GLS) 76 81 74 84 / 40 40 40 10
&&
.HGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...Flood Watch through Friday morning for TXZ163-164-176>179-
195>200-211>213-300-313.
GM...Small Craft Should Exercise Caution through Saturday morning for
GMZ350-355-370-375.
&&
SHORT TERM...03
LONG TERM....JM
AVIATION...24
MARINE...JMSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
131 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
TXZ163-164-161930-
Houston TX-Trinity TX-
131 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHERN TRINITY AND HOUSTON
COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM CDT...
At 131 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Pollok to 9 miles east
of Centerville. Movement was east at around 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Crockett, Austonio, Apple Springs, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard,
Latexo, Weches, Pennington, and Centralia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3152 9510 3147 9510 3144 9501 3138 9495
3134 9496 3133 9490 3128 9488 3126 9490
3122 9486 3103 9558 3118 9575 3120 9575
3123 9573 3127 9573 3132 9566 3145 9571
3146 9575 3147 9574 3148 9571 3157 9515
TIME...MOT...LOC 1831Z 280DEG 44KT 3148 9483 3127 9582
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CottoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
230 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
TXZ163-164-177-179-162015-
Walker TX-Polk TX-Houston TX-Trinity TX-
230 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT TRINITY...CENTRAL HOUSTON...
NORTHEASTERN POLK AND NORTHEASTERN WALKER COUNTIES THROUGH 315 PM
CDT...
At 230 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Diboll to 6 miles east
of Madisonville. Movement was east at around 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and up to half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Apple Springs, Trinity, Corrigan, Groveton, Lovelady, Pennington, and
Centralia.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3133 9490 3130 9489 3128 9488 3126 9490
3123 9486 3121 9486 3116 9485 3115 9486
3111 9475 3111 9472 3109 9466 3110 9465
3109 9464 3109 9462 3107 9459 3089 9543
3114 9569 3134 9495
TIME...MOT...LOC 1930Z 359DEG 13KT 3123 9480 3099 9580
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
CottoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
339 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
TXZ195-196-198-162115-
Brazos TX-Grimes TX-Burleson TX-
339 PM CDT Thu May 16 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN GRIMES...
NORTHWESTERN BURLESON AND NORTHERN BRAZOS COUNTIES THROUGH 415 PM
CDT...
At 339 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles northeast of Caldwell, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Bryan, Caldwell, Kurten, Wixon Valley, Bryan Utilities Lake, and
Chriesman.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southeastern
Texas.
&&
LAT...LON 3073 9662 3073 9660 3070 9656 3074 9646
3091 9635 3096 9627 3075 9612 3049 9678
3060 9689
TIME...MOT...LOC 2039Z 238DEG 41KT 3065 9664
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
47The Ft Hood radar (KGRK), 163 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:47 UTC.
28 thunderstorm wind, 20 flash flood, 3 tornado, 1 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
FM 2548 between Midway and Antioch was made impassable due to flooding. Damage totals include flooding over the month period.
The Interstate 45 frontage road north of Huntsville was made impassable due to flash flooding. Flooding dollar damage includes flooding from month leading up to this day.
Portions of Hwy 30 in Walker County were made impassable due to flash flooding.
Portions of FM 2821 to the north of Huntsville were impassable due to flash flooding.
Portions of FM 1791 to the west of Huntsville were deemed impassable due to flash flooding.
FM 2929 was impassable just south of US-190 due to flash flooding.
The were fallen trees and some roof damage along Wolf Run Road.
FM 3478 to the west of Trinity was made impassable due to flash flooding.
FM 1696 to the west of Bedias was made impassable due to flash flooding.
Quarter sized hail was observed over Diamond Lil Strip.
Hwy 30 in College Station just to the east of Hwy 6 was inundated with floodwaters, making it impassable. Dollar damage estimates are cumulative including recent events within one month prior.
FM 2620 southeast of Bedias was impassable due to flash flooding.
FM 230 west of Trinity was impassable due to flash flooding.
FM 356 east of Trinity was impassable due to flash flooding.
Low water crossings along FM 1280 in Friday were impassable due to flash flooding.
Portions of FM 2989 in Walker County were impassable due to flash flooding.
Portions of US-59 / Interstate 69 near Cleveland were impassable due to flash flooding.
Widespread tree damage was reported between Huntsville and New Waverly.
Portions of FM 1374 northwest of New Waverly were impassable due to flash flooding.
Several locations along Hwy 150 were made impassable by floodwaters between Coldspring and Shepherd.
Trees were downed by strong thunderstorm winds in Washington County. A possible funnel cloud was sighted as the derecho moved through the area, but this was not confirmed by any photo or video evidence. County EM investigated the area, did not find any associated damage where the funnel was sighted. Approximately 70 roads closed due to downed trees. We also had several thousand meters without power. Some citizens that had structural damage to homes and barns.
FM 222 near Shepherd was impassable due to flash flooding.
Trees were downed and metal roofs were blown off.
A large metal barn was destroyed. Trailers were rolled. Metal debris was strewn 1000 yards to the southeast. Trees were felled in multiple directions ranging from south to northwest.
Trees were downed by strong winds in the Prairie View area as the derecho moved through. Damage totals include other wind damage across the county.
Social media reports indicated widespread tree damage from the derecho in the Prairie View area.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station 1757W Texas A at Texas A&M Kyle Field.
The roof of a newly build home was damaged by strong winds from the derecho.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station 030HC 4650 near Highway 6 and SH 290.
Trained spotters reported trees downed in Katy by strong thunderstorm winds as a derecho moved through the area. Damage dollar totals include all of Harris County and City of Houston for this event.
Roof damage was reported near Kermier Rd and Pine Tree Lane as the derecho moved through the area.
Highway 190 near Menard Creek was impassable due to flash flooding.
Lighting fire destroyed a mobile home. One fatality resulted.
Damage path constructed for photos and videos from residents and broadcast media. Rated high end EF1 based on severe damage to 3 houses on NW side of track.
This tornado touched down near the intersection of Tuckerton and Greenhouse Roads then tracked southeastward through Highlands subdivision. Numerous single family homes had roof damage and broken windows. The damage path was well defined. Additional damage was found across Lone Star College Campus and CyFair ISD facility.
Large transmission lines were downed by strong thunderstorm winds as the derecho moved through the area.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station CW9236 Cypress.
Multiple trees were downed.
Roadways across Goodrich were impassable due to flash flooding.
Large trees were downed across Interstate 45.
Nine total fatalities occurred due to the derecho across the City of Houston. One was from a fire from a lightning strike which is entered separately.
Widespread tree damage was reported in the Denver Harbor area as the derecho moved through.
Widespread tree damage was reported across the Jacinto City area.
Numerous skyscraper windows across downtown Houston were blown out by strong thunderstorm winds as the derecho moved through the area.
Wind gust occurred at KIAH.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station PTKT2 650 Patricks Bayou at E 8th Street.
Wind gust occurred at KMCJ Houston University.
Wind gust occurred at KHOU.
Numerous trees and power lines were downed across Baytown by strong thunderstorm winds.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station SCPT2 2200 Houston Ship Channel at Jua.
Strong winds from the derecho damaged the roof of Chambers County EMS. Time was estimated based on radar data.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station CBHT2 1710 Cedar Bayou at SH 99.
Wind gust occurred at mesonet station 9221D Morgan's Point.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning, Harris | 2024-05-16 | Unknown | Indirect | ||
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 51 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 57 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 60 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 39 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 71 | Female | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 60 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 31 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Harris | 2024-05-16 | 72 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Texas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Texas, 2024Warnings in Texas, May 2024
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1188009, 1188018, 1188030, 1188039, 1188040, 1188045, 1167870, 1188048, 1188050, 1167869, 1188001, 1188052, 1188055, 1188058, 1188059, 1188062, 1188064, 1188419, 1188067, 1188006, 1188078, 1188072, 1167871, 1167802, 1188081, 1188086, 1167859, 1188082, 1167860, 1188074, 1188421, 1188430, 1188491, 1192624, 1167803, 1188414, 1167861, 1167872, 1188433, 1188420, and more.