'Public safety is our top priority:' Houston Rodeo watching for potentially strong storms on opening day

HOUSTON – Tuesday is the kickoff of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

• Severe weather planner for Tuesday: What you need to know to stay safe

It coincides with a day that the KPRC 2 Storm Tracker Team is watching for the potential for severe weather in parts of the Houston area.

The Houston Rodeo is no stranger to strong storms. Last year in 2024, attendees were forced to scramble for safety as hail and damaging winds moved through the area.

In light of the potential for storms and lessons learned from past incidents, KPRC 2 Meteorologist Justin Stapleton spoke with Michael DeMarco, the Chief Show Operations Officer for the Houston Rodeo, about the safety measures in place to protect the thousands of people who attend the rodeo.

“Public safety is our top priority,” DeMarco emphasized. “We make sure patrons are safe, secure, and receive timely updates on the weather conditions. It’s crucial to inform them about what’s happening and when to keep them safe.”