On May 16, 2024, thousands of residents in Cypress were alerted to take cover as tornado warnings indicated a twister was approaching. In reality, Cypress experienced a derecho, a powerful straight-line wind storm. According to the National Weather Service, a derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.
In Towne Lake, many residents faced power and internet outages for several days. Meanwhile, the Heritage community was severely affected by an EF-1 tornado, causing extensive damage.
MUD 501 quickly responded by providing dumpsters for all Towne Lake residents to dispose of spoiled food and yard debris, a service greatly appreciated by the community.
The memory of this significant weather event will not soon be forgotten.