News Summary
Central Texas is under severe weather conditions with tornado warnings, potential for heavy hail, and flash flooding. Authorities are alert as road conditions worsen and safety measures are in place. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported despite the imminent dangers. Forecasts indicate a return to calmer weather soon.
Severe Weather Hits Central Texas with Tornado Warnings, Hail, and Flooding; No Injuries Reported
Central Texas is experiencing severe weather conditions on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, prompting authorities to issue a Tornado Watch for most of the area until 4 p.m. The severe weather includes the potential for large hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes.
The National Weather Service has classified most of Central Texas under a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for severe weather, with areas northeast of Austin seeing an enhanced risk (level 3 of 5). As severe conditions evolved throughout the day, certain Tornado Watches were canceled, including for Bastrop, Caldwell, and Lee counties; however, Fayette County remains under a watch.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for southeast Fayette County, effective until 5:45 p.m., indicating the possibility of ping pong ball-sized hail and wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph. Similar warnings for quarter-size hail and strong winds were also reported for southwest and northeast Fayette County until 5:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., respectively.
Flood Risks and Road Closures
As a result of the severe weather, a Flash Flood Warning was in effect for northwest Lee County and southeast Williamson County until 5 p.m., forecasting rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches, with additional rains anticipated. Additionally, Milam County is under a Flash Flood Warning until 5:15 p.m., with expected rainfalls of 1-2 inches.
Road conditions have been impacted significantly, with rapid water flow causing blockages. Notably, Wells Branch Parkway at I-35 was closed due to high water but was reopened at 3:25 p.m. These rainy conditions have raised safety concerns, particularly in northwest Austin.
Emergency Preparedness and Responses
First responders remain on high alert due to the severe weather events, prepared for potential swift water rescues should situations worsen. Notably, a confirmed tornado was reported on the ground in Milam County, near Cameron, at 12:16 p.m., with subsequent Tornado Warnings issued for various counties, including parts of Blanco, Burnet, and Llano counties.
Throughout the morning, numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were spread across different counties, with forecasts indicating varying hail sizes and wind speeds. In anticipation of the severe conditions, Marble Falls ISD implemented a shelter-in-place protocol early in the day, ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Outcomes and Future Projections
Despite the potential dangers posed by the severe weather, which also led to two separate reported fires in Liberty Hill and Georgetown, likely due to lightning, no injuries have been reported at this time. Initial projections suggest that nightfall should bring quieter conditions with no additional storms expected.
Looking ahead, scattered showers may be present on Wednesday, but the likelihood of severe weather is minimal. Residents can anticipate a return to dry conditions as the week progresses into the weekend.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: Austin Weather Forecast
- Google Search: Severe weather Central Texas
- KXAN: Severe Weather Tornado Threat
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- FOX 7 Austin: Severe Storms in Austin
- Google Scholar: Flooding in Central Texas
- Statesman: Flash Flood Alert in Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe weather
- FOX 7 Austin: Tornado Watches Issued
- Google News: Central Texas weather
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
