Thunderstorms have claimed seven lives and left over half a million homes and businesses without power in southeastern Texas.
Residents might face weeks without power following Thursday’s storm, which brought winds of 110 mph (177 km/h), according to officials.
Most of the deaths were due to downed trees, power lines, and lightning.
The storm has now moved into neighboring Louisiana, prompting flood warnings along the Gulf Coast.
Officials reported three more deaths on Friday night, bringing the toll to seven.
An 85-year-old woman died in a lightning-induced fire, a 57-year-old man died while trying to move a damaged electrical pole, and another man who needed oxygen was found unresponsive after losing power.
Earlier, officials had reported two fatalities from falling trees and another person killed when a crane collapsed.
Mother-of-four Christin Martinez, 31, died when a tree fell on her car.
“She told her husband she wanted to move the car because of an old, large tree she was worried about,” said Houston Police Department Lt. R. Willkens. “Sadly, it fell when she was inside.”
Mrs. Martinez leaves behind three boys, ages 8, 10, and 12, and a baby she was still breastfeeding.
At a Friday news conference, Texas Judge Lina Hidalgo, the top government executive in Harris County, stated that at least two tornadoes hit the region on Thursday night.
In Houston, traffic lights were out on Friday, office windows were shattered, and glass littered the streets.
The Houston Independent School District canceled school on Friday.
Flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for multiple counties, according to Houston’s National Weather Service office.