A powerful tornado that swept through Harris County on Monday caused significant damage to more than 100 homes, according to Constable Mark Herman, CNN reported. No serious injuries have been reported, but emergency crews spent hours searching debris to ensure residents were safe, said Brian Murray, spokesperson for the county’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. According to KHOU*11 news, a string of tornado warnings went off beginning around 11:30 AM and lasted through 2:15 PM.


The Harris County Emergency Services campus was also hit, with the tornado tearing off part of a building, spokesperson Miranda Sevcik said. A viral video captured a funnel cloud forming near Highway 249, offering a dramatic glimpse of the storm as it moved through the area. There was also a ground stop issued at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, reported KHOU*11 news.


According to CNN, the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado struck the county, though officials have not yet determined its strength. The storm struck suddenly as severe weather developed across the Houston area, fueled by warm, unstable air ahead of a cold front.


Residents are being urged to avoid travel whenever possible, as widespread debris and downed power lines continue to make roads in the affected neighborhoods dangerous.


According to FOX26 Houston, the National Weather Service says it will conduct a storm survey on Tuesday.