Central Texas Under Tornado Watch

AUSTIN, TX — Weather officials placed Travis County and much of Central Texas under a "tornado watch" on Tuesday while warning of possible flooding as heavy rain pelted the region.

The tornado watch is expected to expire at 5 p.m., as a flash flood warning was issued concurrently for a region prone to such overflow. The latter is in effect until 3 p.m.

Travis was one of a handful of counties also placed under a "severe thunderstorm warning" on Tuesday as weather officials warned of strong winds and the possibility of hail. The watch extended beyond Central Texas to some southern portions of the state, including San Antonio.

In addition to Travis County, the tornado watch covers the following counties: Williamson; Bastrop; Bexar; Blanco; Caldwell; Comal; Fayette; Gonzales; Guadalupe; Hays; Kendall; Lee; and Wilson.

The National Weather Service outlines safety tips on what to do before, during and after a tornado watch is issued:

What to do during a tornado watch

• Take shelter immediately! Flying debris from high winds causes most injuries.
• Keep windows closed and stay away from them as glass from broken windows can injure you.
• If you’re in a building, go to the basement or lowest floor. That’s the safest location.
• If you’re in a mobile home, go to the nearest building or storm shelter. Even if tied down, your home can’t protect you.
• If you’re driving, fasten your seatbelt and go to the nearest building for cover. You’re safer indoors.
• If your car gets hit by debris, stop, cover your head, and stay below the windows. You’re safer inside the car than outside.
• If you’re outside, lie down in a low, flat area and cover your head with your hands. You’re safer lying down than standing up.

What to do after a tornado watch

• After Avoid entering damaged buildings as broken glass and exposed nails can injure you.
• Keep away from downed power lines and objects touching them to avoid electrocution.
• Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and gloves when walking through debris. Stepping on nails and glass can injure you.

An earlier tornado warning was in efffect until 10 a.m. as weather officials warned of strong winds of up to 60 miles per hour could lead to damage on roofs, siding and trees. A tornado warning differs from a tornado watch in its indication that a tornado is imminent — meaning it's occurring or expected to develop.

In nearby Bastrop County, a tornado warning was in effect for much of the morning. At 10:19 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Cedar Creek, or seven miles southwest of Bastrop, weather officials said. Additionally, a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for central Bastrop County and north central Caldwell County until 11 a.m. Two previous tornado warnings in Bastrop and Fayette counties later expired.

But later, weather officilas put the entire region under a tornado watch after storms gained additional steam. Before the warning's expiration, the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down near Cedar Creek at 9:40 a.m.

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Residents are urged to review and discuss emergency plans, check supplies and prepare safe rooms. "Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching," officials wrote on their website. "Acting early helps to save lives!"

Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states, officials added.

National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio said severe thunderstorms are located along a line extending from near Lockhart to near Bastrop, moving northeast at 15 miles per hour. At its peak, the thunderstorm was initially said to have been capable of producing a tornado with winds of 60 miles per hour and penny-size hail.

The National Weather Service said showers and thunderstorms were likely in the Austin area, mostly after 10 a.m. Some of the storms, officials added, could produce heavy rainfall. The day is expected to be cloudy, with a high near 77 degrees with a chance of precipitation at 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch are possible, weather officials said.

By nightfall on Tuesday, a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms lingers. It's expected to be cloudy, with a low around 69. South/southeast wind is expected to blow between 5 to 10 miles per hour.

The chance of rain diminishes significantly by Wednesday, when a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast after 1 p.m. It's expected to be cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. The wind will be light at 5 to 10 miles per hour.

Concurrent to the tornado watch, the National Weather Service issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" for the region covering Travis and Williamson counties. A flood advisory also was issued.

In addition to Travis and Williamson counties, the Hazardous Weather Outlook covers the following counties:

• Llano.
• Burnet.
• Val Verde.
• Edwards.
• Real
• Kerr.
• Bandera.
• Gillespie.
• Kendall.
• Blanco.
• Hays
• Bastrop.
• Lee.
• Kinney.
• Uvalde.
• Medina.
• Bexar.
• Comal.
• Guadalupe.
• Caldwell.
• Fayette.
• Maverick.
• Zavala.
• Frio.
• Atascosa.
• Wilson.
• Karnes.
• Gonzales.
• De Witt.
• Lavaca.
• Dimmit.

"Through this afternoon, there is a potential for strong to severe storms with locally heavy rainfall over the eastern half of South Central Texas," weather officials wrote. "The potential for severe storms will be mainly for hail and strong gusty winds, and the stronger storms are expected during the afternoon hours and mainly east of a line from Lake Buchanan to Hondo to Pearsall. Areas east of a Lake Buchanan to Pearsall line may also see broad areas of 1 to 2 inch rainfall totals, with isolated totals up to 4 inches possible."

Given that the Central Texas region is prone to flooding during heavy storms, motorists are urged to check ATXfloods.com to see roads closed due to high water. As of 11:37 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 crossings had already been closed throughout the region due to high water.