Tornadoes and Flash Floods Hit Areas of Central Texas

Areas of central Texas were hit with severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, with tornadoes and flash floods occurring in some regions during the morning and early afternoon. Residents of these areas received tornado and flash flood warnings from local branches of the National Weather Service (NWS) throughout the day.

Videos shared to social media showed footage of tornadoes in counties near Austin and San Antonio Tuesday morning. Additional photos published by local news outlet KXAN pictured damage to a house in Smithville, about 50 miles southeast of Austin as a result of a tornado earlier in the day. No injuries have been reported. Flash floods were reported about 85 miles east in Starzville, closer to San Antonio. A video posted to Twitter showed cars partially submerged in water during an afternoon flood.

The NWS department responsible for Austin and San Antonio, which are located 100 miles apart from each other in the southern part of central Texas, issued alerts directing numerous counties to prepare for extreme weather conditions through at least mid-afternoon on Tuesday. According to information shared by the weather service, affected areas could experience hail storms and winds up to 70 miles per hour.

In a late-morning tweet, the agency provided a graphic that showed ongoing tornado warnings for residents of Bastrop and Lee counties near Austin. The weather service's prediction was based on the estimated trajectory of a tornado observed nearby around 11:30 a.m. CDT. NWS later lifted the tornado advisory for Bastrop County but not Lee, after reporting continued presence of "funnel clouds" observed near the latter area.

Counties closer to San Antonio received similar warnings, though NWS reported the potential for flash floods more likely than tornadoes. At 12:30 p.m. CDT, the agency informed residents of central Comal County, approximately 50 miles outside of San Antonio, about the possibility of oncoming tornadoes due to the present storm environment. "Certainly a wind threat with this storm and could wrap up and produce a tornado as well," the organization wrote on Twitter.

Most areas that received flash flood or severe storm warnings on Tuesday were alerted to inclement weather conditions that would persist through 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. CDT. But as of 1 p.m. CDT, the NWS said there were no severe storm or tornado warnings ongoing in its forecast area. Several flash flood warnings and advisories concerning "significant weather," characterized by strong thunderstorms.

A tornado watch was issued for the Austin–San Antonio area—which has a population of about 4.5 million people—on midday Tuesday, and NWS said it would remain in place through 5 p.m. CDT. A tornado watch does not necessarily indicate an approaching tornado threat, whereas a formal warning means one has been sighted in the vicinity. On its website, NWS provides detailed instructions for individuals responding to a tornado warning.

"There is imminent danger to life and property," it explains. "Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris."

In addition to inclement weather advisories shared to Twitter, experts from NWS released general guidelines for people living in areas where tornadoes or flash flooding could occur. It recommended people take immediate shelter in counties where tornado warnings were issued and seek higher ground in those that could face flash floods.