Severe storms in the Houston area left thousands without power on Saturday amid sweltering heat, with temperatures around 90 degrees (32.2 C) and warnings from the National Weather Service about the risk of heat stroke.

The storms, with winds up to 100 mph (161 kph), caused widespread damage, downed power lines, and resulted in at least seven deaths.

Over 800,000 people initially lost power, with more than 500,000 still affected by Saturday morning, Reuters reported.

A tornado also struck near Cypress, causing significant destruction. In response, President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for seven Texas counties, enabling federal aid for residents and businesses.

Written by B.C. Begley