News Summary
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are currently in effect for Austin and surrounding areas, with forecasts of tennis-ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Over 65,000 customers are experiencing power outages, leading to emergency response efforts. Significant impacts have been noted across multiple locations, including road closures and property damage. Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions as conditions may worsen throughout the evening.
Austin Faces Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Widespread Power Outages
Austin and surrounding areas are currently under Severe Thunderstorm Warnings effective until 9:30 p.m. tonight, with the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasting severe weather conditions, including tennis-ball-sized hail and wind gusts reaching 60 mph. As a result, more than 65,000 customers in the region are experiencing power outages, prompting local utility crews to be on high alert as they work to restore electricity.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was reported near Cherokee, which is located 12 miles south of San Saba, moving southeast at a speed of 30 mph. The storm has affected multiple locations, including Burnet, Kingsland, Llano, and Inks Lake State Park. In addition to these areas, significant impacts have also occurred in Pflugerville, Elgin, and various regions within West Lake Hills.
At 6:30 p.m., another severe thunderstorm was detected near Austin, moving southeast at 35 mph, with some reports indicating baseball-sized hail. The storm intensity has led to road closures and hazardous conditions throughout the city. Recent reports highlighted a maximum hail diameter of three inches near Liberty Hill, along with consistent 60 mph wind gusts.
Power Outages and Emergency Response
Currently, Austin Energy reports that 65,009 customers are without power due to a total of 174 active outages, predominantly concentrated in Central Austin. Areas particularly affected include those near the University of Texas at Austin, west of Mopac at Lake Austin Boulevard, and the Brentwood vicinity. Emergency response teams from Austin Energy are efforting to restore power, though no estimated restoration time has been provided for outages directly tied to the storm.
A series of severe thunderstorm warnings initially spanned Caldwell County, Travis County, and Bastrop County until 7:30 p.m., while Travis and Williamson counties remained under warnings until 7 p.m. As of this evening, much of Central Texas is operating under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch scheduled to last until 10 p.m., indicating that conditions for severe storms are favorable.
Potential Risks and Safety Advice
The NWS has issued alerts regarding the potential for serious injuries to people and pets who may be outdoors during this severe weather event and warns of possible extensive property damage. Residents are urged to stay weather-aware and monitor local forecasts closely using weather tracking applications.
This storm follows a previous incident earlier in the week that resulted in significant property damage, including roof damage at a gas station in North Austin and broken glass reported at the Texas Capitol and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The patterns of storm development are expected to continue into the late evening hours, with an increase in intensity anticipated.
As the storms approach, residents throughout Central Texas are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of continued severe weather and to seek shelter if necessary. The situation remains dynamic, and officials are continuously monitoring conditions to keep the public informed.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Severe Weather Alert: Flash Flood and Tornado Warnings for San Antonio
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: Water Rescues Reported in Austin
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- FOX 7 Austin: Storm Damage in Austin
- Google Search: Severe Weather Austin
- KVUE: Storm Damages in Austin Airport
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorms
- FOX 7 Austin: Enhanced Risk of Severe Storms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorms
- FOX 7 Austin: Memorial Day Storms
- Google News: Texas Storms
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.
