 Houston's Mayor John Whitmire is warning people now to stay home as Barrow lashes the state as a hurricane turned tropical storm. Please, Houstonians, anyone that can hear my voice, shelter in place. Shelter in place. We're in an emergency. We're in a rescue mode. Life safety. The storms killed at least two people. Out west, a motorcyclist died while touring Death Valley amid a scorching heat wave. Death Valley Park Ranger Matthew Lamar.