News Summary
Severe thunderstorms hit Austin, Texas, leading to flash flooding, power outages, and extensive damages. Emergency services conducted multiple rescues as rain accumulation reached alarming levels. The storm resulted in a reported death linked to flooding, and about 30,000 customers lost power. Damage assessments revealed significant destruction across the region, prompting an emergency response. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as additional rainfall is expected in the coming days.
Austin, Texas
Severe thunderstorms that struck Central Texas on Wednesday evening, May 29, 2025, led to flash flooding, power outages, and significant damage across the region. A reported death was associated with the flooding, highlighting the dangers posed by the extreme weather conditions.
The storm inundated parts of Austin with 2 to 3 inches of rain within just half an hour, with Doppler radar indicating accumulations of over an inch of rainfall per hour. The National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood warnings, urging residents to avoid driving through flooded areas, while some warnings extended into the early morning hours following the storm.
As the storm progressed, Austin Fire Department personnel conducted nine water rescues, primarily targeting stranded vehicles and individuals caught in rapidly rising waters. By Thursday morning, approximately 30,000 customers in Travis County were without power due to downed power lines and uprooted trees caused by winds gusting between 70 to 80 mph, akin to the strength of a Category 1 hurricane. Notably, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport measured wind gusts of up to 77 mph during the storm but reported no operational disruptions.
Widespread damage occurred throughout the city, including significant destruction noted at the University of Texas baseball field, where awnings and fences were ripped down. Reports of golf ball-sized hail, measuring close to 1.5 inches in diameter, were also recorded in Fredericksburg, TX.
Governor Greg Abbott had preemptively activated state emergency response teams to help local authorities manage the impact of the storms, emphasizing the necessity for timely resources amid such calamities. Damage assessment reports from throughout the affected neighborhoods indicated that some homes and vehicles sustained severe water-related damage due to the flooding.
A flood watch remains in effect for the Austin area, with additional rainfall expected through the end of the work week. The recent storm provided a considerable boost to drought-affected waterways as Central Texas had not experienced this level of rainfall since January 2024. However, the devastation caused by the storms has led local officials and residents to address the challenges posed by both flooding and a sudden increase in water levels in local rivers and streams.
Emergency officials continue to assess the situation and are focused on recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storms. Residents are encouraged to stay clear of flood-prone areas, monitor local updates, and remain prepared for any further weather events as forecasts indicate a possibility of continued rain.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- KXAN Weather
- Google Search: Austin Texas storm May 2025
- Fox Weather
- Google Scholar: Austin Texas severe weather
- Austin American-Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Central Texas storms
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google News: Austin severe weather May 2025
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.
