Southeast Texas on Friday is facing a rare heightened risk of severe weather, a threat level seen only when destructive weather events have followed, such as last May's derecho and the post-Christmas tornado outbreak.

A powerful line of storms is expected to sweep through the Houston area Friday, bringing the risk of large hail and damaging wind gusts.

There is the potential for thunderstorms, hail, strong winds, localized flooding and isolated tornadoes on Friday and early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.