News Summary
A severe storm hit Austin, causing one death and extensive damage across the city. Winds reached 77 mph, and flooding was reported with 2 to 3 inches of rain falling within 30 minutes. Emergency services are actively assisting affected residents as investigations into the storm’s impact continue. Notable damage occurred at the Texas Capitol and local airport, emphasizing the storm’s severity.
Austin, Texas: Severe Storms Cause Fatality and Widespread Damage
On May 28, a severe storm struck Austin, Texas, resulting in one fatality, extensive flooding, and significant damage across the city. Winds during the storm reached speeds of up to 77 mph, according to official reports. The storm brought intense weather conditions that included torrential rain that accumulated between 2 to 3 inches within just half an hour.
Tragically, one individual was swept away by floodwaters and lost their life amidst the chaos of the storm. Emergency services are continuing their efforts in the aftermath to assess damage and provide necessary assistance to affected residents. A video taken from an airplane at 40,000 feet documented the storm as it approached downtown Austin, capturing the ominous dark clouds and swirling rain.
The National Weather Service dispatched a storm survey team to evaluate the areas most severely impacted by the thunderstorm. Approximately 72,500 customers of Austin Energy experienced power outages due to the storm, with about 37,600 still without power as of 10:30 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Storm Details and Impact
The severe storm was characterized by a “long track microburst” connected to a supercell that affected regions from Central Austin to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Wind speeds ranged from 65 to 85 mph, which caused widespread tree damage and hail, with sizes reported from quarter-sized to plum-sized. Significant damage was observed in various locations, including the Texas Capitol and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with reports of shattered glass and a collapsed gas station canopy, where people remained inside their vehicles during the storm.
The storm’s conditions were the result of multiple weather systems interacting, specifically a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) originating from Mexico and a stalled front over Central Texas. Meteorologists indicated that the intensity of the storm likely stemmed from these colliding weather systems, which created conducive conditions for storm development, leading to rapidly intensifying storms that delivered heavy rain, destructive winds, and large hail within a brief timeframe.
Weather Outlook
This severe weather event was not influenced by Tropical Storm Alvin, which was generating in the eastern Pacific Ocean at the time. Forecasts indicated that the storm system would shift towards the Mid-Atlantic and South, with cities including Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia anticipating heavy rain on May 30.
Conditions for severe weather were projected to re-emerge around midnight and extend into early Friday, raising concerns for additional hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall. However, residents could look forward to a return of clear skies by Sunday, accompanied by a Saharan dust plume that is expected to affect local air quality.
Conclusion
The storm event in Austin serves as a stark reminder of the potential severity of weather phenomena. Emergency response teams are working diligently to aid those in need and restore normalcy in the affected areas. As the situation evolves, officials and meteorologists will continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety and preparedness of the public.
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Additional Resources
- The Statesman: Austin Severe Storms Weather
- Wikipedia: Storm
- KVUE: Severe Storms Damage Austin Airport
- Google Search: Austin Severe Storms
- CBS Austin: Austin Energy Customers Without Power
- Google Scholar: Austin Weather Fatality
- KXAN: Shoal Creek Flooding Austin Park
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- FOX 7 Austin: Severe Storms Damage Austin
- Google News: Austin Texas Storm
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.
