Photo Credit: Cy-Fair Fire DepartmentNews
When the winds hit home: Supporting our neighbors after the recent tornado
On Monday, November 24, 2025, a severe storm system produced two confirmed tornadoes on the northwest side of Houston. One hit in Riata Ranch, and the other in Klein leaving residential damage in its wake.
Continue reading to learn how you can get involved with helping the community as well as how to get help if you have been effected and are in need of assistance.
What Happened and Where
The first tornado, rated a high-end EF-1 by the National Weather Service Houston (NWS), touched down just after 1:20 PM in Towne Lake, near Riata Ranch, then tracked about 2.6 miles before lifting near Barker Cypress and Highway 290.
Roughly 20 minutes later, a second tornado rated as a low-end EF-2 by the NWS touched down near Louetta Road and moved through the Klein area along a 3.8-mile path.
According to a damage survey by the NWS, wind speeds reached upwards of 110–116 mph. Homes, trees, and power lines were damaged across several neighborhoods, including sections of northwest Harris County in areas that stretch close to parts of the suburban communities near Cypress.
Only a handful tornadoes since 2000 have reached EF-2 or above in Harris County. While tornadoes of this strength are uncommon here, the damage this time was enough to displace families, disrupt utilities, and leave many in need of immediate assistance.
How Residents Can Get Help and How You Can Help
Local officials with Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) have mobilized recovery support. Below are current resources and ways to assist community members affected by the tornado:
| Need | What To Do / Where To Get Help |
| Report damage / get official support | If impacted, complete the state’s Texas iSTAT Damage Survey to document damage — helps officials coordinate aid. |
| Debris removal & cleanup | Call 3-1-1 for debris pickup assistance from the county. |
| Emergency support (food, housing, utilities) | Call 2-1-1 for post-incident support. |
| Immediate disaster relief | Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. |
What neighbors and community members can do to help:
- Help check on nearby homes for damage or needs., especially elderly neighbors or families with children.
- Offer to help with debris cleanup, yard work, or transporting children/families if needed.
- Share information about the iSTAT survey, 3-1-1 cleanup, and 2-1-1 support. Many people may not know what resources are available.
- Donate food, water, or supplies, or volunteer with groups like the American Red Cross to help with recovery efforts.
Why This Matters — Especially for Our Area
If you live in or near Cypress, this storm’s impact could very well have touched your community. With multiple homes damaged, neighbors may be struggling. That is where local goodwill, communication, and coordinated efforts can make a big difference. With homes damaged, power disrupted, and families displaced, many residents are now navigating immediate recovery needs.
In times like this, strong community support becomes essential. Local neighborhoods, volunteer groups, churches, and community organizations play a vital role in helping residents access assistance, clean up debris, and stay informed about available resources.
Efforts such as organizing local supply drives, sharing verified information about county assistance programs, and checking in on elderly residents or families with young children can make a significant difference. Whether it’s offering transportation, helping remove debris, or spreading awareness about relief services, the collective response of the community helps speed up recovery for everyone.
Beware of Scams
Unfortunately, severe weather events often attract scammers who try to take advantage of residents dealing with damage and urgent repairs. As cleanup begins across the northwest Houston and Cypress area, it’s important for homeowners and volunteers to stay alert.
Common post-storm scams to watch for:
- Unlicensed contractors going door-to-door offering immediate repairs, then demanding upfront payment or disappearing before the job is complete.
- Fake charity or donation requests, especially through text messages, social media, or phone calls claiming to represent relief organizations.
- Price-gouging for essential services like debris removal, tree cutting, or emergency tarping.
- Impersonators claiming to be from FEMA, the county, or insurance companies asking for personal information.
How to protect yourself and your neighbors:
- Verify contractors through the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation, and request written estimates before any work begins.
- Never pay in full upfront. Legitimate companies typically require partial payment after work starts or is completed.
- Donate only to trusted organizations, and go directly to their official websites instead of using links sent through messages or posts.
- Ask for official identification from anyone claiming to represent a government agency or insurance provider.
- Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the Harris County Attorney’s Office.
Staying aware and spreading the word helps protect the entire community from exploitation during an already stressful time.
A Call to Action
If you or someone you know has been impacted: please fill out the iSTAT damage survey, reach out to 3-1-1 or 2-1-1 as needed, and consider contacting the American Red Cross if immediate help is required.
If you feel called to help: reach out to neighbors, share this resource list, offer practical support (cleanup, transport, kid care, etc.), or coordinate donation efforts.
As a community, Cypress and all of northwest Houston have always been tighter than a neighborhood and there’s no better time to prove it than a time like this. Let’s stand together and help affected families bounce back.
