News Summary
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are currently in effect for Central Texas, with significant risks including hail, wind gusts up to 60 mph, and power outages affecting over 65,000 customers. Ongoing storms have led to road closures and raised concerns over flooding and tornados. Central Texas residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepared for hazardous conditions as storms continue to develop in the region.
Austin, Texas
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued for areas in Central Texas, effective until 9:30 p.m. today, with the National Weather Service highlighting the dangers posed by the storm system. The adverse weather includes the possibility of tennis ball-sized hail and wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph.
As a consequence of these severe conditions, approximately 65,009 customers of Austin Energy are currently experiencing power outages due to a total of 174 active outages reported in the region. The most significant outages are concentrated in Central Austin, particularly around the University of Texas, just west of Mopac at Lake Austin Boulevard, and in the Brentwood neighborhood. The severe storms have caused damage to electrical equipment and tree limbs, prompting Austin Energy to implement emergency procedures. There is no estimated timetable for the restoration of power for affected users at this time.
Furthermore, Road closures have been reported throughout Austin as a result of these severe weather events, which have also affected residents in Llano and Burnet counties. A second line of storms is currently making its way southeast, traveling at approximately 30 mph, causing additional severe weather threats.
Warnings and Alerts
In addition to the ongoing Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, further alerts have been issued for north central Caldwell County, southeastern Travis County, and central Bastrop County, effective until 7:30 p.m. tonight. The area remains under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m. tonight, indicating heightened vigilance is necessary.
Warnings for significant hail are also prominent today, with reported instances of baseball-size hail and wind gusts reaching 60 mph near Austin and across other regions in Texas. The National Weather Service has warned residents of the potential for severe injuries to people and animals who are outside, as well as risks related to shattered windows and damage to buildings and vehicles.
Storm Activity Forecast
A complex of storms is expected to move east across the region this evening, starting from the Hill Country between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and advancing into the Austin metropolitan area between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. With the Storm Prediction Center classifying today as a LEVEL 2 severe weather day, the risk conditions have been heightened, necessitating caution amongst residents.
Flooding and Tornado Risks
Flooding remains a primary concern, with localized street flooding anticipated in various areas. Additionally, there is a slight chance of tornado activity in some parts of the affected region, further complicating matters for emergency responders and local authorities as they attempt to manage the ongoing severe weather.
Communication and Preparedness
Central Texas NOAA Weather Radio transmitters are currently offline for a scheduled software update, impacting areas including Austin and San Antonio. Due to the unpredictability of scattered thunderstorms later in the week, residents are advised to utilize multiple channels of communication to stay updated with weather alerts and warnings.
In summary, Central Texas is currently facing significant severe weather threats, with numerous power outages, hazardous conditions, and potential flooding. Residents are urged to remain alert and ensure they are prepared to act as necessary in response to the ongoing storms.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 7 Austin: Austin Weather Alert
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Statesman: NOAA Weather Radio Outage
- Google Search: NOAA Weather Outage
- KXAN: NOAA Weather Radio Down
- Google Scholar: NOAA Weather Radio
- Fox 7 Austin: Enhanced Risk of Severe Storms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Storms
- Fox 7 Austin: Winter Storm Warning
- Google News: Winter Storm Warning
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.
