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Houston, Texas — A powerful tornado tore through residential neighborhoods north of Houston on Monday afternoon, November 24, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction that included more than 100 damaged homes, uprooted trees, and downed power lines. The storm, which struck during one of the busiest travel periods leading into Thanksgiving, spared lives but disrupted power for thousands and complicated cleanup efforts as fog blanketed the area Tuesday morning. Authorities confirmed no serious injuries, crediting timely warnings and residents' quick actions, but the extent of the damage is still being assessed by the National Weather Service (NWS).
The tornado, rated preliminarily as an EF-1 or EF-2 based on initial surveys, touched down around 2 p.m. near Willowbrook and Jersey Village, approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Houston. It carved a path through the Memorial Northwest subdivision in Spring, Texas, before dissipating near Klein and Cypress. Eyewitness videos captured the funnel cloud swirling over highways and school parking lots, with one resident, Grayson Moore, posting dramatic footage on X showing the vortex forming near State Highway 249. "You can clearly see that a funnel is forming over what looks like a school parking lot. Scary stuff," Moore wrote in a post that garnered thousands of views.
Harris County Constable Precinct 4, led by Mark Herman, reported the most severe impacts in Memorial Northwest, where roofs were stripped of shingles, garages were lifted off their foundations, and windows were shattered by flying debris. Drone footage shared by Herman's office on Facebook depicted entire sections of roofing material scattered like confetti across lawns, with one home's attached garage completely displaced. "Multiple homes have been struck and sustained significant damage. Calls are actively coming in from residents reporting property damage throughout the area," Herman posted on X shortly after the touchdown. Deputies maintained a heavy presence to secure the zone, urging residents to avoid the area and keep roadways clear for first responders.
In Klein, about 25 miles north of Houston, the Klein Fire Department responded to multiple gas leaks, blocked roads from fallen trees, and debris-strewn properties around homes and businesses. Spokesperson Ja’Milla Lomas described the scene as chaotic but contained. "We're working to fix multiple reported gas leaks, remove trees that were blocking roads, and clean up debris," Lomas told local media. Damage extended to Cypress and Spring, where the Cy-Fair Fire Department—one of the largest volunteer networks in the Houston region—sheltered an engine crew in a resident's garage as winds exceeded 80 mph. "One engine crew temporarily took shelter in a resident's garage as high winds moved through the area," the department posted on social media, highlighting the rapid escalation.
The storm's fury was captured in personal accounts that underscored the terror. Miriam Harris, a resident in the affected zone, recounted her ordeal to KTRK-TV, Houston's ABC affiliate. "I had the door and I was trying to hold it shut so that nothing would end up in the house. It was so forceful," Harris said, describing how the winds battered her home, damaging the roof, snapping trees, and mangling her holiday light display. In another striking image, Guillermo Vargas surveyed his Spring home where his garage had been swept away, and a Christmas tree was inexplicably sucked out through a back window—debris that now litters the yard like a premature holiday casualty. Neighbors like Quinn Ocker and Aidan Bartlow were seen hastily installing tarps over blown-out bedroom windows, a makeshift defense against impending rain.
Power outages peaked at over 20,000 customers in Harris County, according to CenterPoint Energy reports, with downed lines sparking concerns of secondary fires. The Houston Fire Department deployed its five-member saw team to clear toppled trees and mitigate hazards, spokesperson Rustin Rawlings confirmed. "We're cutting up and removing toppled trees to ensure safe access," Rawlings said. Several weather-related vehicle crashes were reported, though none fatal, as drivers navigated slick roads and reduced visibility.
The NWS had issued a tornado watch for southeastern Texas, including Houston, at 10:48 a.m., extending until 1 a.m. Tuesday. This alert covered counties like Harris, Montgomery, and Brazos, warning of potential hail up to 2 inches, winds up to 70 mph, and isolated tornadoes. A severe thunderstorm warning followed, pinpointing the exact touchdown zone. "A couple tornadoes, hail up to 2 inches in diameter, and wind gusts up to 70 mph will be possible," the NWS Fort Worth office posted on X. Meteorologist Cameron Self from the Houston/Galveston office noted the cold front's role: "We do think there was a tornado," Self told Houston Public Media, attributing the event to a collision of warm, moist Gulf air and a northward-pushing front.
Heavy fog on Tuesday morning, November 25, hampered full damage assessments, but calmer conditions were forecast for the Houston area, allowing NWS teams to survey the path. Officials expect a final report on whether it was a single tornado or multiple spin-ups, with an Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale rating forthcoming. Preliminary estimates suggest repair costs could reach millions, straining local resources during the holiday rush.
The timing amplified the disruption: November 24 marks the eve of Thanksgiving, one of the year's peak travel days, with the American Automobile Association projecting 55 million Americans on the move. George Bush Intercontinental Airport briefly paused operations, delaying flights, while highways like I-45 and SH-249 saw slowdowns from debris and crashes. Farther south, heavy rain and severe thunderstorms were expected through Tuesday, potentially flooding low-lying areas from Texas to Louisiana. Nationally, the NWS forecasted rain and snow elsewhere, with up to 6 inches of snow possible in the northern Plains and Midwest, threatening icy roads for holiday pilgrims.
Recovery efforts mobilized quickly. The Texas Division of Emergency Management urged travelers to "Turn Around, Don’t Drown" and check weather apps. Local resources for affected homeowners include FEMA's Individual Assistance program, though declarations are pending. Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesperson Brian Murray emphasized safety: "No serious injuries or deaths have been reported." Community groups and churches in Spring and Klein set up donation drives for tarps, generators, and cleanup supplies.
This event underscores Texas's vulnerability to late-fall severe weather. Houston, prone to flooding and storms due to its Gulf proximity, has seen increasing tornado frequency amid climate variability—2025 alone marking the state's 150th confirmed twister. As families gather for turkey and pie, the focus shifts to resilience: Neighbors like Harris and Vargas, despite losses, expressed gratitude for survival. "It could have been worse," Harris reflected. With sunshine breaking through Tuesday's haze, cleanup begins, a reminder that in the Lone Star State, nature's whims can upend plans, but community endures.
