Residents of Hays County experienced a brief yet alarming touch of severe weather early Thursday morning as a tornado made its presence known in the small hours. The National Weather Service confirmed the event, with a tornado warning initially issued for the region including San Marcos, Kyle, and parts of Wimberley, as reported by CBS Austin. Radar data indicated the tornado swept through near FM 32 and RR 12 near the south end of Wimberley around 1 a.m., and remained on the ground for an estimated five to 10 minutes.
While the tornado threat has lifted, the aftermath lingers for residents grappling with flash flooding concerns. A Flash Flood Watch remains in force until 7 p.m., covering much of Central Texas. CBS Austin's Meteorologist Avery Tomasco suggested that the fallout from the tornado was relatively minor, with downed tree limbs, trash cans, and a smattering of upturned signs and fences. Additionally, residents faced inconveniences as power outages struck the area, leaving over a hundred people without electricity, including 34 households in Hays and Comal Counties, as per the CBS Austin coverage.
The weather-induced turbulence extended beyond the tornadoic activity. As CW 39 reported, residents reported various power outages across energy providers, from 68 reported by Austin Energy to a significant 262 by Oncor. Together with Pedernales and Bluebonnet, the early hours were marked by a scramble to restore a semblance of normalcy, while crews were sighted traversing the stricken neighborhoods to bring back power.
Despite the chaos that often accompanies such phenomena, the Hays County Sheriff's Office has indicated that the damage incurred was minor, and no injuries have been reported. Kristen Currie, a KXAN meteorologist, highlighted the heavy downpour, noting that nearly 4′ of rain pelted down overnight. With the immediate danger past, the focus turns to the ongoing flash flood risk in the region, a stark reminder of the tumultuous relationship between the serene Texas landscape and the often capricious nature of its climate.
