{
  "id": "2024-05-16-university-of-houston-derecho",
  "slug": "university-of-houston-derecho-2024-05-16",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Houston",
    "shortName": "UH",
    "state": "TX",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "UH Alert",
    "enrollment": 47000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-05-16",
    "endDate": "2024-05-17",
    "type": "severe-storm",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "headline": "Severe storm, May 16, 2024",
    "summary": "On the evening of May 16, 2024, a [derecho with winds up to 100 mph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Houston_derecho) tore through Houston, blowing out downtown windows, spawning tornadoes, and cutting power to nearly a million customers. The University of Houston [closed its Houston, Sugar Land, and Katy campuses](https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/the-university-of-houston-including-campuses-in-sugar-land-and-katy-will-be-clos/1301985121963827/) as the storm and prolonged outages disrupted the region for days.",
    "outcome": "UH closed its main Houston campus plus the Sugar Land and Katy locations following the derecho; at least seven people died regionwide and nearly 900,000 to 1 million customers lost power. No UH campus deaths were reported.",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T07:56:26-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "UH monitoring the potential for severe weather to impact our area. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986143635",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
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      "characterCount": 91
    },
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      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T07:56:26-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "UH monitoring the potential for severe weather to impact our area. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986143635",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
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      ],
      "characterCount": 91
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:26:42-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning issued for UH. Seek shelter indoors. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1646898230363715",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 18:26:42"
      ],
      "characterCount": 77
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:26:42-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning for UH at Katy\n\nThe National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning that includes UH at Katy. Seek shelter indoors immediately in an interior room on the lowest level and away from windows.  Remain indoors until notified that the warning has expired.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621090",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
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      ],
      "characterCount": 305
    },
    {
      "sequence": 5,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:27:39-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning at UH Sugar Land.  Seek shelter indoors.  See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621091",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 18:27:39"
      ],
      "characterCount": 82
    },
    {
      "sequence": 6,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:27:39-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning for UH at Sugar Land\n\nThe National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning that includes UH at Sugar Land. Seek shelter indoors immediately in an interior room on the lowest level and away from windows.  Remain indoors until notified that the warning has expired.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621091",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
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      "characterCount": 317
    },
    {
      "sequence": 7,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:35:30-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning issued for UH at Katy.  Seek shelter indoors.  See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621090",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 18:35:30",
        "PR7 correct: tornado warning sourceUrl was 18:14 id 1646898230363333; re-pointed to 18:35 id 1646898230363715 (same SMS wording, different send)"
      ],
      "characterCount": 87
    },
    {
      "sequence": 8,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T18:35:30-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning for UH\n\nThe National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning that includes UH. Seek shelter indoors immediately in an interior room on the lowest level and away from windows.  Remain indoors until notified that the warning has expired.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1646898230363715",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
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      ],
      "characterCount": 289
    },
    {
      "sequence": 9,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:17:36-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning for UH Sugar Land has expired.  See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144357",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 19:17:36"
      ],
      "characterCount": 72
    },
    {
      "sequence": 10,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:17:36-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning Expired for UH at Sugar Land\n\nThe Tornado Warning that includes UH at Sugar Land has expired.  Exercise caution and report unsafe conditions to UHPD at 713-743-3333.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144357",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2024-05-16 19:17:36)"
      ],
      "characterCount": 214
    },
    {
      "sequence": 11,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:18:11-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning has expired for UH. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144361",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 19:18:11"
      ],
      "characterCount": 60
    },
    {
      "sequence": 12,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:18:11-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning Expired for UH at Katy\n\nThe Tornado Warning that includes UH at Katy has expired.  Exercise caution and report unsafe conditions to UHPD at 713-743-3333.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144360",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2024-05-16 19:18:11)"
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      "characterCount": 202
    },
    {
      "sequence": 13,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:18:44-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning has expired for UH Katy.  See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144360",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 19:18:44"
      ],
      "characterCount": 66
    },
    {
      "sequence": 14,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:18:44-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Tornado Warning Expired for UH\n\nThe Tornado Warning that includes UH has expired.  Exercise caution and report unsafe conditions to UHPD at 713-743-3333.\n\nUpdates at www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144361",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
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        "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2024-05-16 19:18:44)"
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      "sequence": 15,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:20:11-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "UH monitoring the potential for severe weather to impact our area. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986143635",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2024-05-16 19:20:11)"
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      "characterCount": 91
    },
    {
      "sequence": 16,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T19:20:12-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "UH monitoring the potential for severe weather. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144362",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 19:20:12",
        "PR7 correct: sourceUrl was unrelated 2023-11-29 weather monitoring id 1338725736912963; re-pointed to 2024-05-16 19:20 id 1647447986144362"
      ],
      "characterCount": 72
    },
    {
      "sequence": 17,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T23:35:21-05:00",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "UH, UHSL, UHK - Normal Operations, Friday, May 17, 2024. See www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144505",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "annotations": [
        "Verbatim SMS textMessage from UH ALERT official API (alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all)",
        "API startDate 2024-05-16 23:35:21"
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      "characterCount": 81
    },
    {
      "sequence": 18,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2024-05-16T23:35:21-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "UH, UHSL, UHK Normal Operations, Friday, May 17, 2024\n\nThe University of Houston's main campus, UH at Sugar land and UH at Katy campuses all will be open tomorrow for normal operations.  Please prioritize your safety and use caution when traveling to campus.\n\nStudents: Classes will take place as scheduled. If your circumstances are such that you cannot make class in person or virtually, please contact your professor.\n\nStaff, employees and faculty: If you have individual circumstances that may preclude you from traveling to and from campus, please contact your supervisor.\n\nNote: There is damage to Tech Bridge building 3. Anyone normally working at this building should not report to that location until further notice. Please discuss next steps with your supervisor.\n\nFor updates, please visit www.uh.edu/emergency",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144505",
      "sourceDescription": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API rftContent email body)",
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        "Exact rftContent from UH ALERT API (2024-05-16 23:35:21)"
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      "characterCount": 821
    }
  ],
  "context": "From the evening of May 16 into May 17, 2024, a [derecho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Houston_derecho) raced across Central Texas and slammed Houston with winds estimated up to 100 mph, blowing out windows across downtown skyscrapers, toppling transmission lines, and spawning three EF1 tornadoes. [Nearly a million customers lost power](https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/houston-power-outages-derecho-spotted-from-space) and at least seven people died regionwide. The University of Houston [closed its Houston, Sugar Land, and Katy campuses](https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/the-university-of-houston-including-campuses-in-sugar-land-and-katy-will-be-clos/1301985121963827/) as outages and debris made the region impassable; roughly [50,000 Harris County customers were still without power on May 22](https://www.urbint.com/blog/power-outage-report-may-28-2024-texas-derecho). The derecho struck barely seven weeks before Hurricane Beryl would knock out power across the same region, a one-two punch that strained Houston's grid through the summer of 2024.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "A straight-line-wind derecho (not a hurricane) produced 100 mph gusts that blew out downtown Houston windows and closed UH's three campuses",
    "The closure was driven heavily by regional power loss, with nearly a million customers dark and recovery stretching past a week",
    "The event preceded Hurricane Beryl by about seven weeks, compounding 2024 grid stress in greater Houston"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "2024 Houston derecho - Wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Houston_derecho",
      "type": "other"
    },
    {
      "title": "University of Houston campus closure post - Facebook",
      "url": "https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfHouston/posts/the-university-of-houston-including-campuses-in-sugar-land-and-katy-will-be-clos/1301985121963827/",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "title": "Houston area's 1 million power outages after 100 mph derecho - Fox Weather",
      "url": "https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/houston-power-outages-derecho-spotted-from-space",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Power Outage Report - May 28, 2024: Texas Derecho - Urbint",
      "url": "https://www.urbint.com/blog/power-outage-report-may-28-2024-texas-derecho",
      "type": "other"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive / API",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (full alert feed)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all?limit=500",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (full alert feed)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all?limit=2000",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT API v2 (main campus)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/api/v2/uh/all",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986143635",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1646898230363715",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621091",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647516705621090",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144361",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT Notification Archive",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144360",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144357",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144362",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UH ALERT official Notification Archive (alerts.uh.edu API textMessage)",
      "url": "https://alerts.uh.edu/alert-archive/?id=1647447986144505",
      "type": "official-archive"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "severe-storm",
    "derecho",
    "texas",
    "houston",
    "power-outage",
    "campus-closure",
    "2024"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-29",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-20",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}