At least four killed and more than one million without power as wild storm topples power lines, uproots trees and blows out high-rise windows in Houston

At least four people have been killed after hurricane-force winds, life-threatening flooding and torrential rains destroyed the city of Houston, Texas, yesterday. 

While the National Weather Service office issued a tornado warning for the city yesterday, it was winds reaching over 70 mph that toppled trees, blew out windows and left over a million people without power. 

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a news conference that two people were killed by downed trees and a third died after a crane toppled over. 

He did not clarify how the fourth person died. The victims are yet to be identified. 

While the National Weather Service office issued a tornado watch warning for the city yesterday, it was instead over 70 mph winds that toppled trees, blew out windows and left over a million people without power

Workers clean up damage inside a downtown restaurant after a severe thunderstorm passed through Houston

Videos and images show windows being blown out in downtown buildings

Whitmire has advised residents to stay at home on Friday instead of driving into work and asked only essential workers to make the dangerous commute. 

Schools have also been closed due to the widespread power outages and disabled traffic lights. 

'Stay at home tonight, do not go to work tomorrow unless you're an essential worker. Stay home, take care of your children. 

'Our first responders will be working around the clock,' the mayor told the panicked public. 

A car crushed by falling bricks from a fallen building wall sits in a downtown parking lot in Houston

A damaged building is shown in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm that passed through downtown, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

People were seen running for shelter as record-breaking rains fall over the city along with debris destroying houses and cars

Videos and images show windows being blown out in downtown buildings, cranes swaying in the wind, people running for shelter as record-breaking rains fall over the city along with debris destroying houses and cars. 

The Houston Fire Department has advised locals to leave their homes immediately and call 911 if they smell gas in their house.

According to FOX Weather, nearby counties near Houston are also dealing with electricity loss. 

The storm has caused major flooding in the city of Bryan - causing 20 drivers to be rescued from the rising level of water, according to CNN. 

The mayor has said it would take 24 to 48 hours for power to be restored in some areas.