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.

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.

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