News Summary
Severe weather swept through Central Texas, leading to widespread power outages and flood warnings. Nearly 2,800 customers were affected in Austin, and multiple counties have issued flood watches. Heavy rainfall and a brief tornado affected Hays County, prompting local officials to request aid. Precautions against flash floods are advised while emergency management resources are mobilized to assist impacted communities.
Austin, Texas – Severe weather has swept through Central Texas on Thursday, causing widespread power outages and prompting flood warnings across multiple counties. As of 2:10 p.m., nearly 2,800 Austin Energy customers were affected, particularly in East and North Austin where the impacts have been most significant.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Mason County until 7 a.m. on Friday, and the warning has now expanded to include Blanco, Burnet, San Saba, Llano, Mason, and Gillespie counties lasting until 1 p.m. on Friday. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has raised the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center to Level II, enabling support for local flood response efforts.
State resources are actively mobilized to assist communities affected by the severe weather as local officials raise requests for aid. Texans have been encouraged to monitor local forecasts and take precautions against the threat of potential hazards.
Heavy rainfall is expected across West Texas and the Hill Country, initiating from Wednesday night and potentially continuing for several days. Rainfall totals reported by Thursday evening included significant amounts, such as 2.56” at Bartholomew Dam and 2.48” at Walnut Creek. The forecast continues to predict showers throughout Thursday night, with rain chances hovering between 20-30%.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the 70s overnight, and forecasts for the early part of July 4 indicate a 40% chance of rain, including possible heavy showers. By July 4 weekend, rising temperatures are anticipated, with highs reaching into the lower 90s on Saturday and potentially reaching 97° on Sunday.
This severe weather has not only caused power outages; a tornado briefly touched down in Hays County around 1 a.m. Thursday morning, particularly affecting areas near FM 32 and RR 12. The tornado was reported to have been on the ground for five to ten minutes, prompting a tornado warning for Hays County which includes the cities of San Marcos, Kyle, and Wimberley.
A flash flood warning also persists for parts of Hays County, emphasizing the need for caution among residents in affected areas. During these severe conditions, over a hundred customers in Wimberley experienced power outages, with 34 households still lacking electricity in Hays and Comal Counties as of 7:39 a.m.
Reported damage in Wimberley includes downed tree limbs, trash cans, signs, fences, and overturned mailboxes. In response to these outages and property damage, energy trucks have been dispatched to restore power in the affected neighborhoods.
Residents are reminded to heed safety messages during this challenging weather, specifically the significant advice to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” as conditions may worsen. With the unpredictable nature of these storms, it is essential for all Texans to remain vigilant and prepared for the continuing threat of severe weather.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin: Over 2000 Austin Energy Customers Without Power After Thursday Storms
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- KXAN: Today’s Weather Forecast
- Google Search: Severe Weather in Texas
- FOX 7 Austin: Austin Weather Enhanced Risk of Severe Storms in Central Texas
- Google Scholar: Severe Weather
- CBS Austin: Tornado Touches Down in Hays County, Flash Flood Risk Continues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornadoes
- KXAN: Live Blog: Severe Storms Move Through Central Texas
- Google News: Severe Weather in Central Texas
