News Summary
A severe hailstorm swept through Central Texas, particularly affecting the Austin area, leaving over 68,000 customers without power and prompting multiple emergency water rescues. High winds, hail, and lightning caused extensive damage, downing trees and impacting electrical infrastructure. The Austin Fire Department and EMS responded swiftly to carry out rescues of individuals stranded in flooding conditions. Cleanup efforts are currently underway as the community grapples with the aftermath of the storm, with power restoration expected to take several days.
Severe Hailstorm Hits Central Texas, Leaving Over 68,000 Without Power and Resulting in Multiple Water Rescues
A severe hailstorm swept through Central Texas on Wednesday afternoon, with the Austin area experiencing extensive power outages and emergency rescues due to flooding. As of 7 p.m., more than 68,000 customers of Austin Energy were without electricity, with outages continuing to escalate throughout the evening.
By 11:16 p.m., reports indicated that the number of affected customers had increased from 212 to 267. The storm caused substantial damage attributed to high winds, hail, and lightning, impacting electrical equipment and downing numerous trees across the region. Austin Energy has not provided an estimated time for power restoration, advising that most outages are expected to last overnight, and some restorations may extend over several days. A representative from Austin Energy expressed gratitude towards the community for their understanding as the utility works diligently to restore power.
Emergency Response and Water Rescues
The storm prompted a swift response from the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS, who conducted multiple water rescues in the wake of the severe weather. Reports indicate that at approximately 7 p.m., emergency crews rescued two individuals from rising waters at 7622 North Interstate-35 Service Road Southbound. Just 14 minutes later, first responders successfully rescued a person near the intersection of Guadalupe Street and Airport Blvd after that individual was swept downstream.
Shortly after, at around 7:22 p.m., the fire department received a call about two people clinging to a tree in the water at Hancock Drive. One of the individuals was brought to safety by 7:25 p.m., while crews continued the search for the second person. By 7:29 p.m., the missing individual was located, and rescue efforts ensued.
Another rescue was launched at 7:25 p.m. in the 2200 block of West North Loop, where two individuals were similarly found clinging to a tree. Unfortunately, by 7:43 p.m., responders transitioned to recovery mode after unsuccessful attempts to locate one victim from a previous rescue, with the second individual later confirmed deceased shortly before 8 p.m.
Storm Damage and Aftermath
In addition to the extensive power outages, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport reported significant damage to the doorway glass near Checkpoint 1 due to the storm’s powerful winds. Cleanup efforts are currently underway as authorities assess the impact across the airport and the greater Austin area.
After the storm passed, Austin Energy initiated a damage assessment to evaluate the extent of the destruction. Photographic evidence shared by the utility showcased snapped power lines and debris littering properties, highlighting the storm’s severity.
Conclusion
The Central Texas hailstorm has underscored the vulnerability of the area to severe weather events, with emergency services working tirelessly to address the aftermath. Residents are advised to stay updated on power restoration efforts and to exercise caution in flooded areas as the situation continues to evolve.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Central Texas Faces Severe Weather and Key Legislation Updates
Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Central Texas
- KXAN
- Google Search: Austin Hailstorm 2023
- Houston Chronicle
- Google Scholar: Hailstorm Impact on Texas
- CBS Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hailstorm
- KXAN
- Google News: Hailstorm Power Outages
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.
