Possible Meteorite Crashes Into Houston-Area Home

Officials say the object tore through the roof and two stories of the residence.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:19pm

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A possible meteorite crashed into a Houston-area house on Saturday night, tearing through the roof and two stories of the home, officials said. Ponderosa Fire Chief Fred Windisch told CBS News that the object, which was a little bigger than his hand, landed in the kitchen of the woman's house.

Why it matters

Meteorite strikes on residential homes are extremely rare, with only a handful of documented cases worldwide. This incident has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by space debris and the need for improved monitoring and early warning systems.

The details

According to NASA, the meteor became visible 49 miles above Stagecoach, northwest of Houston, at 4:40 p.m. local time. The meteor moved southeast at 35,000 miles per hour, breaking apart 29 miles above Bammel, just west of Cypress Station. The fragmentation of the meteor, which weighed about a ton with a diameter of 3 feet, created a pressure wave that caused booms heard by some in the area.

  • The possible meteorite crashed into the Houston-area home on Saturday night.
  • The meteor became visible 49 miles above Stagecoach, northwest of Houston, at 4:40 p.m. local time.

The players

Fred Windisch

Ponderosa Fire Chief who told CBS News that the object, which was a little bigger than his hand, landed in the kitchen of the woman's house.

NASA

The space agency provided details about the meteor's trajectory and fragmentation.

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What they’re saying

“The fragmentation of the meteor - which weighed about a ton with a diameter of 3 feet - created a pressure wave that caused booms heard by some in the area.”

— NASA

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the incident and will likely conduct further analysis of the object to determine its exact composition and origin.

The takeaway

This rare meteorite strike highlights the need for improved monitoring and early warning systems to protect against the potential risks posed by space debris, even in populated areas.