The severe thunderstorm warning issued for the Austin area has been extended to 8 p.m. Friday and expanded to include southeast Williamson County, downtown Caldwell County, east and central Hays County, and Travis and Bastrop counties , according to the National Weather Service.
The Doppler radar showed a series of thunderstorms at 7:01 PM stretching from near Round Rock to Austin to Onion Creek in southeast Travis County. The storms moved eastward at 30 mph and were able to produce 60 mph gusts and hail as big as quarters, forecasters said.
“Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows and vehicles,” forecasters said in a bulletin. “Expect significant tree damage. Wind damage also occurs on RVs, roofs and outbuildings.”
The weather service received a slew of reports on Friday evening that described:
• Penny to dime hail at Point Venture and Lakeway near Lake Travis
• 60 mph gusts of wind at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
• Trees cut down at Leander High School amid straight winds
• Hail the size of a tennis ball in Jarrell
The National Weather Service has issued an advisory on flooding towns and small streams for Travis County and southwest Williamson County until 9:45 p.m. Friday.
Doppler radar at 6:46 p.m. showed thunderstorms causing heavy rainfall that could cause urban creeks and streams to flood. According to the weather service, between 2.5 and 5 centimeters of rain fell.
“Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected in the area,” forecasters said in a bulletin. “This extra rain will result in minor flooding.”
Rain gauges monitored by the Lower Colorado River Authority have tracked heavy rainfall in the region. One yard near Spicewood, west of Austin, registered 2.24 inches in 15 minutes.
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m. for the Austin area, including Williamson and Travis counties, the National Weather Service said.
Doppler radar at 6:28 p.m. showed a series of severe storms from Liberty Hill in southern Williamson County to Lago Vista on the north shore of Lake Travis.
The storms headed southeast at 30 mph and were capable of producing tennis ball hail and 70 mph gusts of wind, the weather service said.
“Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows and vehicles,” forecasters said in a bulletin. “Expect significant tree damage. Wind damage also occurs on RVs, roofs and outbuildings.”
The weather service is warning residents in the affected area to move to an inner room on the lowest floor of a building to await any severe storms.
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