Houston residents urged to seek shelter from storms

Severe thunderstorms hit Houston early Monday morning, causing concerns for commuters. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings for the area, advising people to seek shelter due to the dangerous conditions. The thunderstorms brought heavy rain, strong winds, and small hail, moving at speeds of up to 40 mph. The NWS noted that the combination of wet roads and strong winds increases the risk of accidents and power outages. Warnings were issued for areas like northeastern Chambers and southeastern Liberty counties, highlighting potential wind gusts of 40 mph and pea-sized hail. Residents in places such as Winnie and Stowell were told to prepare for possible damage from falling tree limbs and debris. Although the storms were expected to pass by 4 a.m., the roads remained slick for the morning commute. Southern Jefferson County faced even stronger winds of up to 55 mph, along with penny-sized hail. Affected areas included Port Arthur and Groves, with safety concerns along Interstate 10. While the worst storm activity was expected to shift eastward by mid-morning, more thunderstorms could develop later in the day. The NWS urged people to stay indoors if they were outside, warning that lightning from the storms could strike up to 10 miles away. Meteorologists continued to monitor the situation and advised residents to stay updated on weather developments.