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On Tuesday, January 24, a powerful storm system along the Gulf Coast spawned a tornado that caused damage east of Houston, Texas.

The tornado formed near a major traffic artery in south Houston and moved east, throwing cars in different directions and tearing street pillars askew. Utility poles and power lines were downed, and several vehicles, including a trailer, were damaged in a parking lot.

The tornado crossed Beltway 8 into Deer Park and Baytown, causing severe damage to power lines and property. Aftermath video showed significant damage on thoroughfares and in industrial and business lots.

Local authorities reported about 123,000 Texas customers without power, mostly in the Houston area and surrounding counties. The line of storms continued moving east toward Louisiana on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents were advised to stay off the roads and remain in a sheltered location as the system moved through southeast Texas.