Severe weather has wreaked havoc across the Southern U.S. and the Pacific Northwest, leading to heavy rain, flash flooding, power outages, and travel disruptions during the post-holiday season. Following the Christmas holiday, millions were impacted as storms rolled through various regions, prompting numerous warnings and emergency responses.
On Thursday, Texas experienced intense storms, primarily affecting the eastern regions, particularly near Houston. The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center had previously issued Enhanced Risk alerts for Southeast Texas, indicating potential strong tornadoes rated EF-2 or higher. The threat began early afternoon and lasted until late evening, with residents warned to prepare for severe conditions involving damaging winds up to 70 mph and the possibility of large hail.
A Tornado Watch was active for virtually all of Southeast Texas except for Jackson and Matagorda Counties, lasting until 7 p.m. The atmosphere’s instability, characterized by dew points reaching around 70°F, was forecasted to fuel severe thunderstorm activity across the area. The National Weather Service advised, "Not everyone will see severe storms, but those who do... some significant impacts are not out of the question," highlighting the unpredictable nature of these weather systems.
Scattered thunderstorms picked up intensity throughout the afternoon, caused by the confluence of warm fronts and mid-upper trough dynamics arriving from the Gulf of Mexico. Forecast models indicated potential hazards including tornadoes, hail larger than quarters, and flash flooding due to saturated ground conditions from previous rainfalls of 1-4 inches. Despite severe weather alerts, the threat was expected to diminish late at night with storm activity tapering off before midnight.
Simultaneously, the Pacific Northwest also faced harsh weather as storm systems rolled across Oregon and Washington. Heavy rainfall led to significant travel interruptions, with around 264 flight cancellations reported at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport alone, accounting for 22% of all national cancellations. Latoyia Pugh, whose connecting flight from DFW to Tokyo was delayed, expressed frustration over the handling of travel plans, stating, "It's been delayed 12 times, and the communication has been poor," as travelers navigated the chaotic aftermath of the holiday rush.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas activated the state's emergency response plan, noting the importance of monitoring road conditions and preparing for potential hazards. Severe thunderstorms had already caused one suspected tornado to touch down near El Campo, Texas, and various watches for floods and storms were issued throughout the day before being lifted as the conditions improved by late Thursday evening.
Travel disruptions were not limited to Texas. The storm system led to effects reaching as far as the Midwest. Across Kansas City, low visibility conditions persisted due to dense fog and light rain, impacting road travel. Forecasts showed similar scenarios across Illinois, where the National Weather Service warned of hazardous driving conditions.
Significantly, Oregon and Washington received moderate to heavy rains, forecast to exacerbate flooding risks. Authorities estimated as much as three inches of rain could lead to extensive flooding, especially if concentrated over short periods. Meteorologists also issued warnings of high winds reaching up to 60 mph, highlighting potential power outages and fallen trees, which were evident as nearly 60,000 customers experienced outages at one point on Thursday morning.
Weather patterns over the West Coast have been chaotic this holiday week, with waves of severe storms causing infrastructure damage, including the collapse of the Santa Cruz Wharf, resulting from high surf and storm swells earlier in the week. Reports of injuries were minimal, but the unpredictability of the weather posed considerable risks for residents and travelers alike.
Overall, this series of storms is part of continuing weather patterns expected to affect the Southern Plains and parts of the Northeast as the country transitions from Christmas festivities back to routine. The Storm Prediction Center has already warned of potential severe storms to continue across Louisiana and Mississippi, with up to five million individuals under risk of thunderstorms capable of high winds and isolated tornadoes by the weekend.
While the severity of the weather will vary throughout the week, one thing remains clear: this year's holiday travel has been anything but smooth, as the interplay of severe weather continues to teach valuable lessons about preparation, awareness, and response to natural phenomena. Millions of Americans are likely to face more weather-related hurdles as they resume their post-holiday routines.
