Texas / South Central News

Chemical Leak Set Off Fire that Shut Houston Shipping Channel

HOUSTON — The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said on Wednesday a fuel leak, possibly due to open valves and a running pump, set off a massive blaze at a Mitsui & Co Ltd petrochemical storage operation along the Houston Ship …

Remnants Of Olga Push into Mississippi, Leaving Damage

JACKSON, Miss. — What’s left of Tropical Storm Olga was causing soggy conditions in Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday and dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at New Orleans’ main airport after two power outages. There were no reports …

Dallas County Tornadoes Caused $2 Billion in Damage, Insurance Council Says

DALLAS — An insurance industry group says the nine tornadoes that struck the Dallas area during a Sunday night outbreak caused an estimated $2 billion in insured losses. The Insurance Council of Texas said the estimate, which it called “pretty …

Severe Storms Sweep Through Dallas, Causing Heavy Damage

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Crews searched Monday through the rubble of buildings torn apart by a tornado that ripped through the Dallas area the night before, causing damage to homes and businesses and knocking out electricity to tens of thousands of …

Recovery Stalls After Fast Start Following Deadly Tornado

When a deadly tornado ripped through Ruston and Louisiana Tech University in the early morning darkness of April 25, hundreds of volunteers fanned out for rescues and cleanup. Everyone from NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone and energy magnate James …

Oklahoma Approves 5% Cut in Workers’ Compensation Loss Costs for Next Year

A 5.1% percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs in Oklahoma for 2020 has been approved by Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, the state insurance department announced. Loss costs are the average cost of lost wages and medical payments of …

Texas Suffers 5 Deaths, Widespread Damage from Tropical Cyclone Imelda

The widespread damage brought to the Houston area by one of the wettest tropical cyclones in U.S. history came into broader view Saturday, as floodwaters receded to reveal the exhausting cleanup effort that lies ahead for many communities and homeowners. …

Houston Begins Cleanup After Almost 4 Feet of Rain Falls

Imelda’s rains have largely left Houston, but the city and the surrounding region are reeling from the fallout. Much of the area remains flooded, with homes and businesses damaged, hundreds of abandoned cars left on highways, water systems compromised and …

Storm Disrupts U.S. Gulf Coast Energy Operations from Refineries to Terminals

HOUSTON — Energy infrastructure on the U.S. Gulf Coast was hit hard by Tropical Storm Imelda on Thursday, as flooding forced a major refinery to cut production and a key oil pipeline, terminals and a ship channel in Texas were …

Weakened Imelda Aims Foot or More of Rain at Flood-Prone Houston

Imelda has lost some of its wind power, but continues to pour rain down on the U.S. Gulf Coast, with 12 to 15 inches already recorded and flood-prone Houston in its path. Imelda is now a tropical depression, with winds …

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