The USA is experiencing its most active tornado season this year, with two severe tornadoes hitting Texas. These storms caused millions of shattered windows in Houston. They also tore apart businesses and homes, brought down power lines and trees, and resulted in several deaths. More than 900,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity after the most recent tornado. Moreover, shattered glass is still falling from the windows of high-rise buildings.
Unfortunately, such natural disaster is not new to Texas. The state averages 140 tornadoes annually, more than any other state in the USA. However, it’s not only Texas that suffers from life-threatening natural disasters. The geographical location and the contrast between cold and warm air masses make the USA a leading country for tornadoes.
Two intense tornadoes hit Houston at the beginning and the end of May 2024. The citizens of the city and other parts of the southern US experienced electricity outages. Only after the 16 May tornado caused hundreds of shattered windows in Houston, “with glass littering the streets below”, and the state “sending department of public safety officers to secure the area”, the Guardian reported. Mayor John Whitmire asked the residents of Houston to stay at home due to the glass. AccuWeather estimates the cost of $5 – $7 billion for the damage in Houston after the storm on 16 May.
Several hotels and office buildings took a hit from severe winds. An examination of 18 high-rise buildings in downtown areas showed that 3,250 windows were damaged. The Hyatt Regency hotel skywalk collapsed, and several window surfaces were blown out. People inside sought shelter as rain and debris fell into the building’s atrium on 16 May.
Wells Fargo Plaza and CenterPoint Energy Headquarters in downtown Houston have dozens of busted windows after high-speed winds. Crews started to clean up the streets and remove glass from shattered windows in Houston right after the storm. Nonetheless, it may take up to a few months to remove all the damage and replace the windows.
The footages from locals show that some of the glass surfaces managed to survive the tornado due to an extra level of protection. Those were mostly the windows with safety films applied to them. These films provide blast mitigation capabilities by keeping shattered glass together. Thus, safety and security film prevents small pieces of glass from flying around and reduces the risk of injuries caused by them. Additionally, such solution offers you an almost transparent coating that can significantly affect the strength of glass.
The devastating impact of tornadoes that hit Texas in May shows that we should never forget about natural disasters. With millions of shattered windows, it’s crucial to invest in safety and take proactive steps in securing property. At D&A Customs, we prioritize safety above all and are ready to assist you in applying safety films. Don’t wait until it’s too late – act now to prevent such life-threatening situations like tons of shattered windows in Houston.
