May 8, 2025

Severe Weather Causes Damage and Tragedy in Texas and Louisiana

News Summary

Severe weather struck Texas and Louisiana, leading to tragic casualties and extensive property damage. A 10-year-old girl from Brenham lost her life due to flooding, while other areas faced high winds and hail, further heightening the emergency. Flood watches affect millions, with meteorologists forecasting more severe conditions ahead. The impacts have left communities grieving and challenge local authorities.

Brenham, Texas – Severe Weather Causes Damage and Tragedy Across Texas and Louisiana

Severe weather hit Texas and Louisiana on May 6, 2025, resulting in devastating impacts including a tragic loss of life and widespread property damage across the region. The storms produced high winds and significant hail, with reports of softball-sized hail in some areas.

The storm claimed the life of 10-year-old Devah Woods from Brenham, Texas, who was swept away by flooded waters. Authorities recovered her body shortly after she was reported missing. The Brenham community is mourning this tragic event, with officials expressing their sorrow and support for the family.

In addition to the tragedy in Brenham, severe weather led to multiple injuries in Texas, including three individuals who were injured after lightning struck their home, igniting a fire. The Texas A&M University campus in College Station recorded damaging winds and heavy rainfall, which caused considerable chaos as seen in dramatic videos shared on social platforms.

Reports from Garland, Texas, indicated hailstones the size of Ping-Pong balls, which caused damage to outdoor spaces. In New Iberia, Louisiana, hail ranged in size from quarter- to golf balls, compounding the damages experienced across the affected states. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center documented the presence of softball-sized hail in areas like San Ygnacio, Texas.

Structural Damage and Flood Watches

Structural damage has also been reported throughout various cities, including Waco, Texas, where downed trees and damaged roofs disrupted normal activities. In rural North Texas, severe thunderstorms wreaked havoc on wind turbines and even affected airport operations. Wind gusts reached up to 71 mph near Mandeville, Louisiana, with reports of damage attributed to an apparent tornado in Greenwood, Louisiana.

Flood watches have been issued for over 8 million people across Louisiana and parts of Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi as prolonged heavy rainfall has saturated the ground. The National Weather Service warns that additional flooding is a risk due to this factor, with rainfall totals expected to reach up to half a foot through Wednesday, including localized amounts that could be even higher.

Warnings and Future Predictions

Flash Flood Warnings have been disseminated across both Texas and Louisiana, with authorities strongly advising residents to avoid driving on water-covered roads. In New Orleans, a new daily rainfall record was set on May 7, with 1.64 inches surpassing the previous record of 1.33 inches set in 1976.

Looking ahead, meteorologists predict that severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes could continue to impact areas in the Great Plains and Louisiana. Rainfall of an additional 1-3 inches is forecasted in the upcoming days, which will extend the flood risk into portions of Mississippi and Alabama.

This ongoing severe weather pattern, described as an “omega block,” has played a significant role in the current conditions, blocking typical storm paths and maintaining the severe weather scenario. Meteorologists expect that similar conditions will continue to affect the Southeast in the following days, heightening concerns for residents already grappling with the impacts of the recent storms.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Severe Weather Hits Brazos Valley, Texas
Huntsville, Texas – Local News Roundup
Power Outages Disrupt College Station Events on May 1
Power Outages and Food Bank Support in College Station
Texas Senate Approves Major Changes to Insurance Rate Regulations
New Business Openings and Announcements in Lubbock
Severe Weather Alert: Tornado Risks Extend Across Upper Midwest
Brazos County Approves Budget Amendment for Hail Damage Repair
Historic Flooding Grips the South and Midwest
Aggie Ring Day Celebrations Shine Bright in College Station

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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