Severe Thunderstorms Loom Over Texas and Louisiana, Disrupting Holiday Travel Plans

DALLAS (AP) — Regions of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas were under severe weather alerts early Friday as the National Weather Service forecasted that a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico could bring strong winds, hail, and potential tornadoes to the area.

“Intense rain and thunderstorms are continuing to move rapidly across Louisiana and the Gulf waters at this time, with SETX in the clear for the remainder of tonight. Please stay safe everyone,” the weather office in Lake Charles, Louisiana, shared on the social platform X shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday.

The weather service issued a tornado alert late that afternoon for sections of Texas northeast of Houston, indicating that weather radar had detected a tornado in the vicinity. No immediate damage reports were received.

As a line of thunderstorms began to traverse parts of Texas, over 100 flights experienced delays and many more were canceled at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Delays and storm-related cancellations were also noted at Dallas’ Love Field and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to FlightAware, a company monitoring flights globally.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources due to the heightened severe weather threat.

“As Texans and out-of-state travelers commence their journeys after the Christmas holiday, it is essential that everyone consistently monitor road conditions, develop an emergency plan, and follow the recommendations of state and local authorities,” Abbott stated.

The highest weather threat was anticipated for an area of Texas east of Dallas, spanning from Houston to parts of southern Arkansas and western and northern Louisiana, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

“It seems there’s a chance of one or a few tornadoes with this threat, but the primary concerns will be high winds and hail,” Hurley remarked, noting that he expected wind gusts typically between 60 and 80 mph (96 to 128 kph), and hail measuring 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter or larger.

The storms were expected to move into southern Arkansas and western and northern Louisiana after dusk, creating a potentially hazardous scenario for holiday travelers, Hurley explained.

“Visibility will be limited, and people may not be as aware of the weather conditions,” he added.