News Summary
A severe hailstorm hit Austin on Wednesday evening, leading to extensive damage and multiple water rescues. The storm caused flooding across the city, with several incidents reported and power outages affecting tens of thousands of residents. Emergency services actively engaged in rescue operations as localized damage impacted infrastructure and the upcoming NCAA baseball tournament at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Residents are urged to remain cautious as cleanup efforts continue.
Austin experienced a significant hailstorm on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and prompting multiple water rescues throughout the city. The Austin-Travis County EMS reported numerous incidents related to flooding, as the storm brought severe winds and heavy rain, resulting in downed tree branches and widespread debris.
The storm’s impact was particularly severe in the 7000 block of IH-35, where several victims were swept away by the powerful current. Emergency services were able to perform a successful water rescue at Guadalupe Street and Airport Boulevard, where one individual was found downstream. In another incident in the 2200 block of W. North Loop Boulevard, one person was rescued from the water, but another individual remains missing, leading to a recovery operation by emergency responders.
Emergency services also responded at Steck Avenue and North Mopac Expressway, where two cars were found submerged, and one individual was discovered stranded on the roof of a vehicle.
As the storm progressed, extensive damage was reported at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, home to the University of Texas baseball team, with significant damage observed in the stadium’s outfield ahead of the upcoming NCAA baseball tournament. In addition, the storm broke glass near the top of the Texas Capitol rotunda, illustrating the ferocity of the weather.
Power outages were widespread due to the storms. As of 7:45 p.m., Austin Energy reported that 68,838 customers were affected by outages, although approximately 88% of Texas Energy customers managed to maintain power during the storm. By late Wednesday evening, reports cited around 67,262 customers still without power, and cleanup efforts are ongoing as emergency crews assess damage from downed power lines and trees impacting residential properties. Restoring power to those affected could take multiple days, according to utility representatives.
Flooding and Road Closures
Flooding has resulted in several road closures across the city, notably on Steck Avenue near MoPac and Old Spicewood Springs Road. The National Weather Service noted that baseball-sized hail affected the Austin area and issued severe thunderstorm warnings for nearby regions. Videos circulating on social media showcased massive hailstones and the extensive damage caused by the storm.
Emergency Response
Throughout the tempest, Austin’s emergency services, including police and fire departments, were actively engaged in rescue missions. Eyewitnesses described the storm as destructive, with severe winds wreaking havoc on local neighborhoods and infrastructure. Residents are being warned to remain vigilant as recovery and cleanup efforts continue.
Background Information
Weather-related incidents, especially severe storms, have affected various areas of Texas in the past, but this latest hailstorm exemplifies the potentially dangerous conditions that can arise in the region. Emergency services in Austin have been trained to respond to such disasters promptly, focusing on public safety and efficient rescue efforts.
As the city begins the recovery process, officials urge residents to exercise caution when navigating flooded areas and to report any downed trees or power lines. The assessment of damage and the restoration of essential services will be ongoing as Austin works to return to normalcy in the aftermath of this severe weather event.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Storm Causes Widespread Damage in Austin
Severe Hailstorm Batters Central Texas Causing Power Outages
Central Texas Faces Severe Weather and Key Legislation Updates
Additional Resources
- CBS Austin: 65,000 Austin Energy customers without power
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- KXAN: Storms, downpour of rain & hail across Central Texas
- Google Search: Austin hailstorm
- KVUE: Austin Energy Wednesday evening power outages
- Google Scholar: Austin hailstorm
- KXAN: Water rescues after storms in Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin hailstorm
- Chron: Austin Texas hail storm damage
- Google News: Austin hailstorm
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.
