LAKE JACKSON, Texas — Strong storms moved across Southeast Texas Saturday, bringing lightning, heavy rain, reported damage in Lake Jackson and a waterspout spotted off the Galveston coast.
The storms hit during a wet Memorial Day weekend pattern that has kept parts of Brazoria County and the upper Texas Gulf Coast under multiple weather alerts.
In Lake Jackson, viewers reported damage after strong thunderstorms rolled through the area Saturday. Click2Houston reported that photos showed damage to the front of a Lowe’s store, along with outdoor merchandise blown around by strong winds.
The storms also produced frequent lightning across the Houston area. A separate Click2Houston report said more than 700 lightning strikes were reported during the morning thunderstorms, while thousands of customers were without power earlier Saturday.
The National Weather Service listed hazardous weather conditions for Coastal Brazoria Saturday afternoon, including a flash flood warning, flood warning, flood advisory and a flood watch that remained in effect until Monday evening.
At the Angleton/Lake Jackson airport, the weather service reported thunderstorms in the vicinity Saturday afternoon, with north winds gusting up to 29 mph and humidity near 94%.
The same stormy pattern also produced a waterspout off the Galveston coast. Click2Houston reported that a viewer captured video of the waterspout Saturday as storms continued to move through the region.
Heavy rain remained a concern for communities already dealing with saturated ground.
Space City Weather reported earlier in the week that southern Brazoria County, including areas near Angleton and Lake Jackson, had already seen some of the region’s highest rainfall totals, with some locations picking up 6 to 8 inches before the weekend storm threat increased.
More rain was expected through the weekend. The National Weather Service forecast for Coastal Brazoria called for showers and thunderstorms Saturday night, with some storms capable of producing heavy rainfall. Additional showers and thunderstorms were also possible Sunday and Memorial Day.
The repeated rounds of rain raise the risk of street flooding, especially in low-lying areas, poor drainage spots and roads that have already seen water collect in recent days.
Drivers are urged to avoid flooded roads and never attempt to cross high water. Even shallow-looking water can hide washed-out pavement or become dangerous quickly.
Residents should also stay indoors when thunder is heard. Lightning can strike miles away from the strongest part of a storm, and outdoor activities should be paused until storms have fully cleared the area.
The storms are part of a broader unsettled weather pattern affecting Southeast Texas through the holiday weekend. With more rain possible, residents in Brazoria County, Galveston County and surrounding areas should continue monitoring local alerts, keep phones charged and be prepared for fast-changing weather.
Anyone who sees storm damage, flooding, hail, lightning damage or dangerous road conditions should report it to local authorities when appropriate and avoid putting themselves at risk to take photos or videos.
For Gulf Coast residents, the main message is simple: the storms may come in waves, and conditions can change quickly.
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