Multiple Tornados Hit Texas; Severe Storm Warning Still in Effect For South Central Region

Multiple tornadoes were reported in central Texas Monday March 21, causing “devastating” property damage according to Gov. Greg Abbott.

A tornado touched ground in Red Rock, about 30 miles southeast of Austin, according to the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management twitter account. Red Rock Police tweeted there were reports of structural damage to multiple homes and businesses.

A tornado struck eastern Williamson County northeast of Taylor. Video from WeatherNation showed widespread property damage in Taylor, a town 35 miles northeast of Austin.

A large and extremely dangerous tornado was located near Elgin according to Accuweather. Elgin police reported at least three injuries

A tornado struck Jacksboro, Texas, a city 60 miles northwest of Fort Worth, Accuweather reported. The tornado caused damage to mobile homes, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

NWS reported a tornado in Madisonville, 95 miles northwest of Houston and another in Luling, a town between San Antonio and Austin.

A tornado warning was in effect for south central Travis County and central Hays County Monday evening.

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter,” NWS said. “Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.”

Over 50,000 Texans were without power late Monday, according to poweroutage.us.

Abbott said representatives from the Texas Division of Emergency Management were working on the ground in Williamson County on Monday.

“Do not endanger yourself by trying to rush in and try to save something right now,” Abbott said at a press conference in Williamson County.

Abbott mobilized the follow state assets in response to the storm:

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force One and Texas Task Force Two): Two Urban Search and Rescue Teams and four Swiftwater Boat Squads
• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews on standby
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Texas Game Warden Swiftwater Boat Rescue Teams
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Packages

.Tuesday is expected to bring the threat of more severe weather to Texas into Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.

“A significant flash flooding and severe weather event is forecast Monday into Tuesday,” the NWS Weather Prediction Center tweeted. “Rainfall totals of 2-3″, locally 5″+, and rainfall rates of 2-3″ per hour are likely. Severe thunderstorms are also forecast to produce strong tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds.”

A tornado watch remains in effect for much of eastern Texas through early Tuesday morning, according to NWS. A flood watch is in effect for parts of eastern Texas as well as southern Arkansas and most of Louisiana through Tuesday night into Wednesday. A severe thunderstorm is in effect for southeastern Oklahoma through early Tuesday.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Texas Windstorm