A lightning strike forced the closure of runway 13R at Hobby Airport, according to the Houston Airport System. The closure prompted repairs, with the airport’s social media channels updating passengers on the situation.
Jim Szczesniak, director of the Houston Airport System, explained on Live at Five that the lightning strike hit a critical intersection of the runway, necessitating immediate repairs.
Despite the closure, flight operations at both Hobby and Bush airports were already affected by adverse weather conditions, leading to ground stops. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight status information.
Repairs commenced around 4:30 p.m., with the runway reopening announced at approximately 7 p.m. However, during the closure, departures from Hobby Airport faced significant delays, with some flights pushed back by several hours and a few cancellations reported.
