Likely tornado rips through Houston area as holiday week flights are delayed or cancelled

Weather Impact & Travel Disruptions - Severe weather, including tornadoes, impacted travel across the South, particularly in Texas, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure [1][2][3][4][5][6] - The storm system is moving east and north, coinciding with the busiest travel week on record, potentially causing widespread delays [2][7][8] - Tornado watches are in effect for 9 million people, with possible wind gusts of 60 mph or more [8] - Airport delays are expected due to snow and wind around the Great Lakes, and rain in the Pacific Northwest [8][9] - DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) experienced 45% of flights delayed, and Houston Intercontinental saw 31% delays due to the Texas storm [11] Holiday Travel Volume & Infrastructure - The FAA and airlines anticipate this Thanksgiving to be the busiest on record, with 31 million people flying [12][13] - Controller staffing at towers nationwide is back to pre-shutdown levels, but most facilities are still understaffed [13] - Newark is struggling with antiquated radars and radios that will take years to replace, with one operable channel on the ground surface radar [13][14] Road Travel & Fuel Costs - 90% of Americans traveling are driving, with 73 million expected on the roads Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon and evening [15] - The national average for gasoline is $306 per gallon, similar to the previous year [16]