Texas
Tornadoes hit parts of Texas, more severe weather in weekend forecast
Texas tornado caught on camera by storm chaser
A tornado was caught on camera in Hawley, Texas, by a storm chaser showing an up-close look of the debris field.
Fox – 4 News
Multiple tornadoes hit Texas on Thursday near Abilene, including one in Hawley that was caught on camera by storm chaser Russ Contreras.
“We’ve had multiple confirmed tornadoes this evening,” said the National Weather Service office in San Angelo on X Thursday evening. “Please stay weather aware and make sure you have a way to receive warnings!” The weather service also posted a map showing where the tornadoes hit.
The Hawley Independent School District said in a statement on Facebook that the “Hawley community has been hit pretty hard and we have several families that have lost homes.” The district said that while the school seems to have been spared major damage, there is “pretty substantial” flooding on the grounds.
The district also said that Friday will be a flex day for students, meaning the school will be open and on regular schedule for students that can attend, however attendance is not mandatory and will not be taken.
Photos of the Hawley, Texas tornado
San Jacinto River evacuation order
In the southeast portion of the state, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo on Thursday issued a disaster declaration and a mandatory evacuation for residents on the East Fork of the San Jacinto River in Houston during a news conference.
Hidalgo said residents must evacuate their homes because of high water risk and that they should leave as soon as possible. Officials said that section of the San Jacinto River is nearing 78 feet above sea level, which is about three feet below Hurricane Harvey water levels.
Some 24-hour rainfall totals exceeded seven inches in the region, reports FOX Weather, with storm totals over the past few days nearing about a foot.
Texas weather forecast for Friday and the weekend
The National Weather Service office in San Angelo said that severe weather potential continues in the area Friday with a marginal to slight risk of severe storms in the afternoon and evening.
“Large hail, damaging winds and even a tornado will again be possible,” the NWS said.
As for Saturday, the weather service said more widespread thunderstorms during the day and night will lead to “a chance for heavy rainfall across portions of West Central Texas, mainly across the Big Country and the Heartland.”
The NWS says the rainfall could be heavy enough to cause flash flooding of streets, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas. Additionally, storms Saturday will pose the “greatest risk for very large hail greater than 2 inches in diameter.”
A Flood Watch is in effect in the Houston-Galveston area through Friday, with flooding being especially hazardous at night, the NWS said.
“Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms continue today, mainly north of I-10 and east of I-45,” the NWS said Friday morning. “Heavy rainfall potential exists and could result in flash flooding. A few storms may become strong to severe with hail and strong gusts as the main risks,” the NWS said.
Texas severe weather watches and warnings
Here’s a look at a map of the watches and warnings across the state.
Texas power outage map
Nearly 30,000 power outages have been reported across Texas as of 6:40 a.m. local time Friday, according to a USA TODAY power outage tracker, including over 12,000 in Harris County.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Texas
How to get tickets for #7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami in College Playoff 1st round
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The 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes hit the road for College Station for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for noon ET (11 a.m. CT) with tickets still available to watch live.
How to get Texas A&M vs. Miami tickets for the best prices: Tickets for the Texas A&M vs. Miami playoff game are available on secondary markets Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek and Viagogo.
The lowest prices are as follows (as of Dec. 15):
- Vivid Seats starting at $375
- StubHub starting at $388
- SeatGeek starting at $315
- Viagogo starting at $345
The Aggies own the homefield advantage and are listed as 3.5-point betting favorites to play their way into the second round. Texas A&M won its first 11 straight games of the 2025 season before falling to rival No. 16 Texas (27-17) in its regular-season finale. The Aggies were battle-tested in going 7-1 in a Southeastern Conference that put five teams into the College Football Playoff field. They also join Miami as teams to beat Notre Dame this season, winning a 41-40 shootout back in Week 3.
#10 Miami (10-2) at #7 Texas A&M (11-1)
College Football Playoff 1st round
- When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon ET (11 a.m. CT)
- Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
- Tickets: Vivid Seats | StubHub | SeatGeek | Viagogo
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN
- Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate)
The Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over then-No. 6 Notre Dame was the best line entry on the team’s résumé as the third-place finisher in the messy Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami rattled off four straight wins to close the season and showed the kind of explosive scoring offense required to stack up with Texas A&M, scoring 34-plus points in each of those four wins. The Canes closed the season with a 38-7 blowout win over then-No. 23 Pitt to strengthen their CFP case.
Texas
14-year-old suspect in deadly North Texas shooting taken into custody in Dallas, police say
The 14-year-old wanted in the deadly shooting of a man in Collin County over the weekend is in custody, police said.
Lavon police said Monday night that the teenage boy was taken into custody in Dallas without incident.
Police say the shooting happened Saturday night, just before 9 p.m. on Wellington Drive in Lavon, when an argument broke out between the 14-year-old suspect and a 24-year-old acquaintance.
Police say that the altercation turned deadly. The teen shot and killed the 24-year-old before fleeing the scene.
“A murder is a very rare thing in our city, so it’s shocking,” said J. Michael Jones, the Lavon Chief of Police. “And it’s even more shocking that this suspect is a 14-year-old.”
Community ISD confirmed the suspect is a student at Community Trails Middle School, where district leaders took extra precautions in case he is still in town.
Earlier Monday, Jones urged the suspect and anyone helping him to turn him in, saying, “I will find you. I will investigate you, and I will put you in jail.”
Lavon police thanked the community and several law enforcement agencies for their help with the investigation, including the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Louisiana State Police, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Independent School District Police Department, the Lavon Fire Department, and many others.
Texas
Texas’ Michael Taaffe Declares for NFL Draft With Emotional Message
The Texas Longhorns are officially saying goodbye to one of the faces of their team.
After starting his college career as a walk-on, Texas safety Michael Taaffe has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as his time on the Forty Acres comes to an end. An Austin native, Taaffe has been integral in bringing the Longhorns back to national relevance over the past few years.
Taaffe, who is already one of multiple Texas players to opt-out of the team’s bowl game against Michigan, posted a long message to social media to thank the university and fans for everything.
Michael Taaffe Sends Message to Texas Fans
Taaffe has become a fan favorite during his time in Austin, and made it clear that the Forty Acres will forever be his home.
“For as long as I can remember l’ve bled burnt orange and white,” Taaffe wrote. “I have given my absolute all to the University of Texas and I am grateful for every part of my journey so far. The highs and lows all played a part in shaping the story y’all have helped me write!”
Forever a Texas Longhorn. 🤘 pic.twitter.com/5nLcFkfDsA
— Michael Taaffe (@MichaelTaaffe4) December 15, 2025
“To Longhorn nation, from the moment I stepped on campus y’all have given me the support system any player would die for,” he continued. “I did everything I could to make this University better than I found it and give y’all something to be proud of every Saturday in the fall. My memories are not my memories without yall cheering on the burnt orange every weekend.”
“I’d like to thank the University of Texas and everyone apart of this journey with me. Though it’s tough to say, but all things must come to an end. With that being said, I am officially declaring for the NFL Draft. I’ll forever be a Texas Longhorn. Hook’ em!”
Michael Taaffe’s Career Stats
Taaffe played in 53 games while making 36 starts at Texas. In that span, he’s posted 222 total tackles (119 solo), three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 21 pass breakups and seven interceptions.
This season, he missed two games in SEC play after undergoing thumb surgery but still put together an overall productive year, finishing with 70 total tackles (38 solo), one sack, one pass breakup and two interceptions.
He ended the year with a game-sealing interception in Texas’ 27-17 win over then-No. 3 Texas A&M in the regular-season finale. This marked his second pick against the Aggies in as many seasons.
Taaffe and the Longhorns went 6-0 against their three rivals (Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Arkansas) since joining the SEC in 2024.
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