News Summary
Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain affected Houston on Friday evening, leading to traffic disruptions and ground stops at major airports. With reports of flooding in multiple locations, local authorities are monitoring conditions and advising caution for residents and travelers. Flights were significantly affected, especially at Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which saw extended delays despite ground stops being lifted. As additional rain is forecasted for the weekend, residents are urged to stay informed about travel and flooding conditions.
Houston Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Cause Commute Issues
Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain disrupted the Houston area on Friday evening, causing significant traffic delays and the implementation of ground stops at major airports. As heavy downpours continued, street flooding became a concern, with local authorities actively monitoring high water conditions at several key locations throughout the city.
Traffic Disruptions Due to Flooding
High water was reported at multiple sites, severely affecting traffic flow. Notable locations experiencing flooding included IH-45 Gulf Northbound at IH-610 South Loop, where one ramp lane was impacted as of 7:02 PM, and IH-610 East Loop Northbound at Clinton Drive, affecting four main lanes and one shoulder, noted at 6:43 PM. Houston Transtar tracked high water conditions across various parts of the city, and the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office monitored additional locations of concern.
City officials advised that certain intersections and underpasses may be barricaded if flooding conditions worsen, urging residents and travelers to exercise caution while on the roads.
Flight Operations Affected
Travel plans were also severely impacted at Houston’s airports, with a ground stop enforced at both Hobby Airport (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) due to the severe weather. Although the ground stop at IAH was expected to last until 10:30 PM, it was lifted early, before 10 PM. Meanwhile, Hobby Airport’s ground halt concluded at 7:50 PM, but significant delays persisted, with average flight delays reported at approximately 1 hour and 9 minutes at both airports.
Forecast Outlook and Precautions
Looking ahead, the forecast suggests that thunderstorms will continue through the weekend as tropical moisture remains in the area. Rainfall estimates for this period range from 1 to 2 inches, creating potential for further localized street flooding. Houston is also expected to experience a temperature drop into the upper-80s to low-90s, providing some relief from the recent heatwave.
A weak tropical low approaching the Texas coast is contributing to the current unsettled weather conditions. Residents can expect scattered thunderstorms to persist into the weekend, followed by a return to warmer temperatures once this period of stormy weather concludes.
Travel Advisory and Resources
Travelers are encouraged to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight statuses and delays, as conditions remain fluid. Additionally, local authorities have made available a Flood Tracker tool for real-time alerts on local flooding conditions, further assisting residents and those commuting through the affected areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Southeast Texas Weather Update: High Heat and Possible Tropical Disturbance
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Houston Celebrates 713 Day with Festive Events
Tragic Floods Claim Lives in Houston Region
Severe Flooding in Central Texas Claims 43 Lives and Leaves Many Missing
Houston Reflects on Hurricane Beryl Anniversary Amid Recovery
Additional Resources
- ABC 13 News
- Google Search: Houston Thunderstorms
- Click 2 Houston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Houston Weather
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: Houston Weather Alerts
- Space City Weather
- Google Scholar: Houston Severe Weather
- FOX 26 Houston
- Wikipedia: Houston
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
