Drivers stranded

Stormy Monday: Houston area pummeled by high winds, hail and rain, floodingstreets

Houstonian Jennifer Moore reports, "AH! This is crazy.... I'm off BuffaloSpeedway and 59 by H-E-B."
Photo by Jennifer Moore
CultureMap contributing writer Jayme Lamm warns, "Roads on 610 feeder aretotally flooded, cars stalled everywhere. Office buildings on Weslyan are nowclosing."
Photo by Jayme Lamm
A car was stranded in flood waters gathered beneath I-10 at San Jacinto Mondaymorning.
Photo by Tyler Rudick
The San Jacinto overpass held nearly a foot of water, blocking the I-10 feederroad and stopping north-south traffic.
Photo by Tyler Rudick
Hermann Park
Photo by Avery N. Burns/Lockerz
Westheimer flooded outside Paulie's
Photo by Fulmer/Lockerz

Severe thunderstorms rolled across the Houston area Monday morning, unleashing funnel clouds, hail and heavy rains that soaked much of the city, making roads impassable and stranding drivers.

As of late Monday afternoon, downtown commuters were seeking alternate routes to Interstate 45 North, as Travis and Milan streets were flooded near the freeway entry on the north side of downtown Houston.

KTRK-TV Eyewitness News reported heavy wind damage to homes at Royal Way and Turphin Way in southwest Houston. The station also reported that the Mall of the Mainland shopping center in Texas City was closed after potential tornado damage. Officials at the National Weather Service said the damage would need to be assessed before a tornado touchdown could be officially confirmed.

NWS forecaster Scott Overpeck told CultureMap no other tornadoes have been reported in the area, aside from a Fort Bend sheriff who spotted a funnel cloud in early this morning. Overpeck also reported small hail stones in Fort Bend and Harris counties, with ping pong-sized hail in Wharton County.

"Right now the bayous are doing exactly what their meant to do, which is to move water," said Harris Country Flood Control staff meteorologist Jeff Lindner.

Flooding was the biggest news as bayous struggled to handle the sudden heavy rains in the midst of one of the state's driest periods in recorded history. Flash flood warnings were in effect until the early afternoon for Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Harris counties.

Just around the corner from CultureMap Houston headquarters near downtown Houston, a Toyota Camry was stranded in nearly a foot of water under the I-10 overpass at San Jacinto. A tow truck was spotted attempting to approach the flooded vehicle, but the water proved too deep for a possible rescue.

CultureMap readers reported flooded streets in Bellaire, Missouri City and near the University of Houston, among other areas.

Harris County Flood Control, which monitors area water flow on a 24-hour basis, reported that natural and manmade flood measures throughout the area are handling the rains fairly well.

"Right now the bayous are doing exactly what they're meant to do, which is to move water," said Harris Country Flood Control staff meteorologist Jeff Lindner.

"The only problem is at the lower end of Braes Bayou around Lawndale, where we're seeing overbank conditions," he reported, noting that this particular area near the Ship Channel is prone to flooding.

Heavy winds and rain stirred up continued unconfirmed reports on the Internet about flooding at Minute Maid Park and a potential roof leak at Reliant Stadium, which maintained considerable roof damage during Hurricane Ike. But officials at both venues said neither stadium was affected by the rains.

Houston METRO users faced delayed bus service due to flooded streets. Light rail service was limited to the Downtown Transit Center and the Preston Station on Main Street for much of the morning. As of about 2 p.m., METRORail restored full service, although high water continues to disrupt bus routes in some areas.

East bound traffic on the Katy Freeway will be diverted onto METRO’s HOV extension until severe roadway flooding is reduced.

Laura Cating of CenterPoint Energy reported power outages to more than 20,000 customers during strong storms in western Harris County just before 11 a.m. CenterPoint will work around the clock until electricity is restored, Cating said, recommending the company's online outage tracker for average wait times.

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classic montrose vibes

Vibrant Houston street market steps up with live music and more vendors

The open-air market at Westheimer and Montrose is getting some upgrades

Photo coutersy fo Montrose Live

Jessica Ivins (center) and partners ready Montrose Live for 2025

The intersection of Westheimer and Montrose has long been one of Houston's most dynamic corners. Thanks to Montrose Live and property owner Skanska, the 3-acre space on the southwest side is expanding its open-air market with new shipping container pop-ups, live music, and more.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to utilize this land as a place where local entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives can thrive, while cultivating an experience that will be carried forward into future projects at other advantageous sites leading up to the start of construction,” says creator and operator Jessica Ivins.

The shopping center on the corner was razed on 2021, ending the long tenancy of staples like Spec's and Half Price Books. Although Skanska has long term plans to build a mixed-use development on the site, it is currently home to various food trucks, sellers, and events thanks to Montrose Live. In 2025, they plan some major improvements.

First on the list is the expansion of their Container Galleries. These are pop-up spaces for local artists and vendors set up in shipping containers. Montrose Live started the program in November with floral design studio Sunbi Studio and Trusted Kicks, a resale shop that had previously operated on another block of Westheimer. Plans for new tenants include a coffee shop, record store, bookstore, farm stand, artist spaces, and a information booth where visitors can learn about upcoming plans and opportunities.

Weekends at the intersection feature the Montrose Live House Band, as well as other local acts. The open-air market continues to feature a variety of excellent food trucks, including HoustatlantaVegan, Yummy’s Hot Chicken, and Just Smash, with plans to add more as the year continues. It remains one of the best places in the city to find a new food truck to sample on a weekly basis.

From noon to 6 pm every Saturday and Sunday, Montrose Live has a a four-tent shop collective offering eco-friendly upcycled goods, art, food, and other products based around the idea of environmental sustainability. Tent collective companies Real Good Real Goods, The Landfill, Authenticated, and No Passport Needed form the backbone of Montrose Live with their wide and extremely Houstoncentric selection.

“The collectives at Montrose Live were created to support businesses and creators who are passionate about delivering authentic and intentionally crafted offerings to their customers. By providing a platform where they can grow and connect with the community, we’re helping them thrive while offering visitors something truly unique," Ivins says.

Over the past decade, the area around Montrose and Westheimer has undergone significant redevelopment, with high-rises and luxurious eateries popping up. Last year, developer Radom Capital announced a new plan for the property that includes the historic Tower Theater and adjacent buildings at 1111 Westheimer. Montrose Live taps into the old school vibe of the Westheimer Street Festival days, albeit with a millennial twist. The new year looks very strong for the open-air market.

shopping montrose

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