METRO Mobilizes After Catastrophic Tornado

On Jan. 24, 2023, after an EF3 tornado ripped through southeast Houston and the surrounding communities of Pasadena and Deer Park, METRO jumped into action joining the Houston Police Department, the Houston Fire Department, and other agencies to provide aid and support to residents.

Hundreds of people were displaced from the Beamer Place Apartments. The complex was one of dozens of structures destroyed by the twister’s winds which reached 144 mph.

At the request of HFD and in coordination with the Houston Office of Emergency Management, three METRO buses and several METROLift vehicles were dispatched to a mobilization point to serve as safe havens for storm victims and provided free transportation to shelters.

A powerful tornado destroyed the Beamer Place Apartments. Photo courtesy: city of Houston

Boots on the Ground: METRO Director of Transportation Service Operations Israel Garcia praised the work of employees who assisted tornado victims.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: METRO jumped into action with HPD, HFD and other agencies to provide aid to residents affected by the catastrophic EF3 tornado.

METRO Director of Transportation Service Operations Israel Garcia said the Authority continued to assist through the weekend, partnering with the Red Cross and other agencies. METRO buses transported displaced residents from Revive Church, which had served as a temporary shelter, to the Pasadena Convention Center where additional aid was available. Garcia praised the efforts of METRO employees.

“From METRO bus operators and controllers to our service supervisors and other operations personnel, these folks are the real heroes,” said Garcia. “Whether they’re getting people to school and work or helping families after a natural disaster like this one, these folks really step up for the community and are the epitome of what it means to be a public servant."