UPDATE, 10:40 a.m.: Houston has deactivated its Emergency Operations Center, citing no reports of flooding or structural damage from the storms.

UPDATE, 9:43 a.m.:  Hobby Airport is reporting delayed flights. Bush Intercontinental Airport reported 84 delays and a ground stop for all arrivals until 9:15 a.m.

Houston put the city's Emergency Operations Center on increased readiness Tuesday morning, as forecasters predict strong thunderstorms to sweep the region.

The Houston/Galveston branch of the National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 1 p.m., for most of the region. A tornado warning, which indicates that conditions favoring the formation of a twister are already occurring, has been issued for Wharton, northwest Brazoria, south central Harris and Fort Bend counties.

The storms may also bring winds capable of toppling trees and power lines, hail, and rainfall amounts exceeding two inches per hour.

METRO has alerted bus and light rail riders to anticipate delays on their morning commute. The No. 4 bus may be significantly delayed because of high water on Beechnut.

We will update this story as the day progresses.

• Bayou City
• Texas