'Severe Thunderstorm Watch' In Effect For Austin Region

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a "severe thunderstorm watch" until 2 a.m. for a wide swath of the region, including the city of Austin.

All told, the advisory encompasses 23 counties throughout South-Central Texas. Residents are urged to stay apprised of local forecasts. "Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this evening into Thursday morning across most of South Central Texas," National Weather Service forecasters wrote on their website.

Motorists should consult ATXfloods.com to see areas of dangerous low-water crossings to avoid. By early evening, 18 low-water crossings already had been closed to traffic, including those in Williamson, Hays and Bastrop counties, according to the ATXfloods maps.

For real-time road conditions, consult the Texas Department of Transportation website texasdrive.org. It's preferable, however, to delay driving if possible until the storms pass given the chances of flash flooding.

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Texas Tornadoes: Dozens Hurt, 2 Kids Killed Amid Powerful Storms

"The most likely threat will be large hail, possibly golf ball size or larger, and damaging wind gusts," NWS forecasters added "There will also be a slight chance for isolated tornadoes and flash flooding."

The greatest risk, weather officials said, will be north of a line from Kerrville to San Antonio to Giddings.

Image courtesy of National Weather Service.

The expected thunderstorms comes on the heels of recent weather events marked by heavy rain and flooding conditions. This past weekend brought a "significant weather advisory" as the region was pelted with heavy rain on Saturday as outlying areas experienced hail. That line of thunderstorms was preceded by a similar one that descended to the area on April 6, also leaving high water and areas of flooding in its wake.

The danger of such conditions is that often it makes for the needed ingredients to spawn tornadoes. Tornadoes lay waste on entire towns this past weekend, including at the small town of Franklin, Texas, near College Station, where some portions of the city were decimated by powerful storms. In Pollock, Texas, two children died after a large tree limb flattened the car in which they were traveling as their parents were spared in the front seat.

In the event of storm-induced power failures, Austin Energy customers can check the utility's power outage map for status reports. The site also contains a primer on staying safe during electrical blackouts and a portal to report outages. The utility's telephone number is (512) 322-9100.

Emergency officials advise residents to secure patio furniture and potted plants given the likelihood of strong wind gusts:

The website "Free DMV Practice Tests" outlines tips for driving in severe weather:

FLASH FLOODS

"Flooding may occur as soon as a few minutes after a downpour begins, and can come unexpectedly," the website reads. "If there is significant water on the roadway (6+ inches), avoid driving into it. Water can hide depth, so even if it looks shallow enough to cross, it may not be safe.2) If possible, drive to higher ground and wait for the flooding to subside.

HAIL STORMS

"Trees are not safe during heavy hail, but buildings are," officials wrote. "Drive under a shelter to help minimize damage to the vehicle; shelters include parking garages, overpasses, tunnels, and similar places. Set your headlights to low beams and drive slowly. Driving in hail is similar to driving in the rain, but the ice has a greater chance of causing damage (including smashing windows) and can be difficult to drive on, particularly when thick."

EXTREME WINDS

"Be aware that larger vehicles are more affected by the wind than smaller ones, and give extra room around other vehicles," the website reads. "It may be difficult for drivers to maintain a straight heading; the winds may push them towards other lanes, and remaining close can significantly increase the chance of a collision.

"Much like earthquakes, is is often important to drive slower during high winds. Sudden changes in wind speed can cause you to over-correct your speed or heading, but driving slower can help reduce the problems this causes.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

• "Remember that flashes of lightning can blind you and make it so that you cannot see hazards. As with the winds that may accompany it, slowing down will help, and so will pulling to the side of the road and turning on the emergency flashers," the website added. "This will help ensure that other drivers can see your vehicle."
• "Furthermore, you should remain inside your vehicle and avoid touching metal. Cars are actually a very safe place to be during a thunderstorm, especially if parked, even if lightning hits the vehicle."
• "Do not remain under trees. They can be struck by lightning and collapse on top of your vehicle; it is much safer to be in the open, even if there is a higher risk of the vehicle being struck by lightning."