Houston thunderstorm damage: Several killed, windows blown out from buildings, power knocked out

Fast-moving thunderstorms hit southeastern Texas, claiming at least four lives. High winds, reaching up to 100 mph, caused fatalities from falling trees and a collapsed crane, reminiscent of 2008's Hurricane Ike. (Photo credit: AP)

Houston Mayor urged residents to stay indoors as roads became impassable, traffic lights failed, and emergency services were overwhelmed. Downtown was particularly affected, with shattered windows and debris littering the streets. (Photo credit: AP)

Houston Independent School District canceled classes for 400,000 students across 274 campuses. The severity of the storm prompted officials to prioritize safety and shut down educational institutions. (Photo credit: AP)

Power to more than 9,00,000 was knocked out as the storm system moved swiftly, flood watches and warnings persisted for Houston and neighboring regions. Louisiana also faced power outages as the ferocious storms swept through. (Photo credit: AP)

First responders worked tirelessly through a backlog of 911 calls, while the state dispatched officers to secure affected areas. (Photo credit: AP)

"There's trees across roadways across Houston," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire, adding, "I ask everyone to be patient, look out for your neighbours. It will take 24 hours for a lot of this power to be restored, some will require 48 hours. (Photo credit: AP)

Transmission line damage in Montgomery County was described as "catastrophic," with warnings of prolonged power outages. Emergency services braced for extended recovery efforts in the city's suburbs. (Photo credit: AP)

The recent storms added to the woes of southeastern Texas, which endured heavy flooding earlier in May. High-water rescues were conducted, highlighting the region's vulnerability to severe weather events. (Photo credit: AP)

As the storm passed, communities assessed the damage and began recovery efforts. With power outages expected to last for days, residents and authorities prepared for a prolonged period of restoration and rebuilding. (Photo credit: AP)