North Texas got an early shot of evening drama yesterday as a strong thunderstorm parked itself near Cleburne State Park and refused to budge, prompting an updated alert from the National Weather Service.
Radar showed the nearly stationary cell dumping torrential rain, firing off frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and dropping small hail, with forecasters warning that wind gusts could reach roughly 40 mph and that localized flooding was on the table.
As reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the NWS Fort Worth office issued its update at 5:32 p.m., placing Johnson, Somervell, Bosque, and Hill counties under a strong-thunderstorm alert until 6 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth, Doppler radar pegged the storm directly over Cleburne State Park, about 11 miles southwest of Cleburne, and essentially sitting in place. Forecasters warned of gusts up to 40 mph and penny-sized hail (about 0.75 inches), and cautioned that the "torrential rainfall" could quickly trigger localized flooding. Anyone stuck outside was urged to move into a building or vehicle.
Where the Cells Were Moving
The alert covered Johnson, Somervell, Bosque, and Hill counties, all south and southeast of Fort Worth, including communities such as Cleburne and Glen Rose. With a storm stalled over the same area, forecasters noted that local roads and low-lying spots are especially vulnerable to rapid runoff and quick ponding of water.
Safety Tips From Officials
Forecasters are reminding residents that lightning can strike from clouds miles away, so the safest bet is to get inside a sturdy building and wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back out, according to the National Weather Service.
If heavy rain leaves water over the road, resist the urge to test your luck. Do not drive into flooded roadways — Turn Around, Don't Drown — since even shallow moving water can sweep vehicles away, per Ready.gov.
Officials urge residents to monitor local radar and official updates before heading out this evening. Additional warnings may be issued if conditions change, and residents are advised to follow guidance from emergency managers and the National Weather Service.
