Tornado-Like Funnel Cloud Nears Houston Airport Amid Flash Floods in Texas

A funnel cloud was seen near George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Saturday amid severe weather and flash floods.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had warned a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over the airport about 4 p.m. CST on Saturday. Several tornado warnings were in place for areas in and around Houston that day.

NWS reported a tornado sighting near Beltway 8 and the airport about 3 p.m. A ground stop was issued at the airport, but lifted at around 5 p.m., according to KRIV.

NWS and the airport have been contacted for comment.

Multiple people took to social media to post footage of what appears to be a swirling funnel cloud nearing the ground.

Tony McKay posted a clip of the sighting in Houston, captured while traveling along US-59.

Tiktok user @dennismenser6 also posted a video of a funnel cloud, with a caption saying it was a "tornado outside Houston airport."

Another video posted on Twitter was captured by a resident as the apparent tornado crossed the north side of Houston.

Meghan Ricketts, who works as a HR generalist at Process Insights, told ABC13 that the roof of World Houston Parkway almost collapsed.

"Everything has been affected. Our warehouse, where we keep products, has been affected. Our offices, the cubicles, the management offices, all of those have water damage," Ricketts told the station.

"If you look at the roof, it's sagging from the weight of the water. Honestly, I'm honestly not shocked that it hasn't spilled out yet."

Meanwhile, warnings for severe weather and flash floods remained in place for parts of Texas into Sunday morning.

Flash Flood Warnings

Most flood warnings expired by 4:15 a.m. CST, but NWS warned of disruption in parts of southeast Texas, including in Harris and Montgomery counties.

"Widespread street flooding will continue to impact travel across the warned area. Although heavy rain has stopped, floodwaters will take time to recede," it said.

One video posted on Twitter showed the flooding of Brickhouse Gully, a concrete-lined drainage channel, in northwest Houston's Oak Forest.

Houston authorities warned residents to remain wary and stay off the roads if possible.

Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner tweeted that some parts of Houston was seeing more than four inches of rain in an hour in the early hours of Sunday.

Shortly afterwards, he said the "most significant rains and isolated tornado threat" were shifting into northeast Harris County.

But Lindner added: "Significant street flooding continues over portions of Spring Branch and NC Harris County. Water will be slow to subside. Stay at your current location."

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted: "Please be weather aware tonight and watch where you are driving. Stay off the roads unless it is necessary."

Samuel Peña, the chief of the Houston Fire Department, added that the department was responding to reports of motorists who have been left stranded due to the inclement weather. 'Stay off the roads if at all possible. @HoustonFire responding to stranded motorists calls due to street level flooding," he tweeted.