News Summary
Austin, Texas faced severe thunderstorms that led to deadly flash flooding and significant hail damage. With winds between 65 to 85 mph and substantial rainfall, emergency services performed multiple rescues as the community braced for the aftermath. The storm not only resulted in widespread power outages but also left extensive damage across neighborhoods. While some relief from drought conditions was noted, the dangers presented by the severe weather have left residents on high alert.
Austin, Texas experienced severe thunderstorms on Wednesday evening, May 29, 2025, which resulted in deadly flash flooding and significant hail damage across the city. One confirmed fatality was reported due to flash flooding as residents struggled to navigate rapidly rising waters that transformed roads into rivers.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning around 6:30 p.m. local time, shortly before the storm began affecting the area. Within half an hour, 2 to 3 inches of rain fell, overwhelming drainage systems in low-lying areas.
As the storm progressed, winds reached speeds between 65 to 85 mph, with some gusts recorded at 77 mph at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Residents reported hail the size of golf balls, which damaged vehicles and property, particularly in neighborhoods around Central Austin such as Shoal Creek Boulevard, Foster Lane, and Hyde Park.
The Austin Fire Department responded to the storm by performing nine water rescues, primarily involving individuals trapped in their vehicles. Kelly Gray, one local resident, captured footage of her and her passenger stranded in a car as floodwaters surged around them, with hail impacting their vehicle.
Power outages were widespread, affecting approximately 37,600 Austin Energy customers as of Thursday morning, a number that had peaked at 72,500 during the storm. Emergency crews were mobilized to restore power as efficiently as possible following the outages.
The storm left a path of destruction, with a swath of damage measuring roughly 10 miles long and up to 2 miles wide. Trees were uprooted and snapped, power lines were damaged, and structures, including a gas station awning, suffered significant damage. While many residents experienced inconvenience and heartache, the storm’s heavy rainfall provided some relief from ongoing drought conditions—albeit at a dangerous cost.
A flash flood warning was issued for numerous counties in the area, with some of these warnings remaining active into the morning hours of Thursday. Although the storm was severe, the National Weather Service clarified that, while it produced damaging winds, it did not meet the criteria to be classified as a derecho.
Several areas of Austin, including neighborhoods in northwestern sectors, saw devastating impacts from both hail and flooding. Reports indicated that during an MLS match at Austin’s Q2 Stadium, spectators experienced pea-size hail as part of the weather system.
Emergency response efforts were deployed swiftly in the wake of the storm, highlighting the community’s resilience as they faced the aftermath of significant weather disruption. The severity of the storm prompted activation of state emergency response resources, underscoring the need for rapid support and recovery in the affected neighborhoods.
As residents begin to assess damage and recover from the storm’s impact, the community remains vigilant for future weather warnings, ready to respond to the unpredictable nature of Texas storms.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: Gallery of Storms Across Central Texas
- Wikipedia: Austin, Texas
- Houston Chronicle: Austin Storm Damage
- Google Search: Austin Texas Storm May 2025
- Fox Weather: Austin Texas Weather Impact Alert
- Google Scholar: Austin Texas Weather Impact May 2025
- CBS Austin: Hail Producing Thunderstorms in Central Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Texas Weather May 2025
- Fox Weather: Austin Texas Flood and Hail Video May 2025
- Google News: Austin Texas Flood 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.
