Tornadoes hit Texas, Louisiana as multi-day severe weather event rattles Gulf Coast

Severe weather jolted parts of Texas and Louisiana on Thursday and Thursday night, spinning up multiple tornadoes to kick off a stretch of stormy weather for the Gulf Coast states.

Two tornadoes were reported near the Houston area, including one that tracked over Lake Houston, located about 20 miles northeast of downtown.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the state's emergency response resources due to the risk of severe weather. "As Texans and out-of-state visitors begin traveling after the Christmas holiday, it's crucial that everyone regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials," Abbott said in a press release.

A tornado that spun over Lake Houston on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Brandon Lee Gardner)

After rumbling through Texas, the severe thunderstorms roared through Louisiana, with the most damaging storms tracking through central and northern portions of the state.

Drone footage from early Friday morning showed a building damaged by a possible tornado in Sieper, about 70 miles northeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or fatalities due to the storms and tornadoes.

A building damaged by a possible tornado in Sieper, Louisiana. (WxChasing/Brian Emfinger)

Additional rounds of severe weather are expected across the Southeast through the weekend, with AccuWeather forecasters warning that Saturday could bring the highest risk of damaging storms.