Tornado Hits Austin and other Texas Counties

NWS ^ | 11/15/01 | Lucas

[Gracey]

Great report paulsy. I saw a lot of the phenomena you mention from my 12th floor view downtown. It's been a spectactular view, weather wise, most all afternoon. Town Lake (Colorado River) is rather high right now, but it's just become too dark to see. I'll send you a FReep mail.

[austingirl]

I was just about to answer when my power went and I've just got it back. We had a storm cell come through that had a tornado that did some minor damage south of the city and tracked right up I35. There is another one on the way right now, following the same path, with rotation, no funnels sighted as of yet. Incredible downpour at the rate of 5" per hour for on half hour period. I was lucky to get on son from school and told my other son not to bother trying to drive home. Low water crossing closed, 6 cars floating on 16th and South Lamar. Rain coming for hours yet. Get out the ark!

[lavrenti]

Ben White and I-35 is the worst place for a tornado to hit. My prayers go out to y'all.

[Gracey]

Hey, MinuteGal. Nice to "see" you. I'm going to try some of your tea in a moment. Kettle is on. Come on over. We'll have a laugh or two. Hugs

[MamaTexan]

and I can't reach her on the cell phone.

Hubby's coming from Austin to Georgetown..he said the LEO's were out in force.

[Gracey]

Hey there Austingirl. This is an unbelieveable scene. I've been watching the river rise all afternoon. The freeway is a disaster - cars hardly moving. Best to stay put for another hour or so.

[lavrenti]

Does anybody remember the Shoal Creek flood from 1981? With 16th flooded at Lamar, it means the gates put in upstream may have failed.

Anyone in the Balcones/Bull Creek Road area near 34th better keep an eye outside.

[Gracey]

The BAD cells are starting to arrive. Just checked radar. Getting off line for a while.

[Texas_Longhorn]

I live downtown Austin and it's raining cats and dogs. The problem here in Austin is that we have a poor drainage system so we flood quickly.

[lavrenti]

What, Austin have a drainage system?

[Heart of Texas]

I'm on north I35...and it's at a complete standstill...pitch black...and raining unbelievably hard. The frontage road from my office is underwater, as are apparently many other roads in the area. Guess I'll be here awhile!

[GalvestonGal.com]

Good link to NOAA emergency weather in Texas here

[Bob Evans]

Hey ... wasn't that guy in the picture on the WTC building?(:^>

[ChemistCat]

I'm praying for all of you. Tornados are really, really scary. This sounds like a major group of cells.



This is the main tornado on MY weather resume: May 3, 1999, Oklahoma City metro.

Here's the Austin situation, currently:

[DrewsDad]

At least we're down to announcements every 20 minutes now. They mentioned the tornado at Ben White. All regular employees and contractors are advised to stay away from the windows.(maybe co-ops are expendable.) In other words...GET BACK TO WORK!!!

[ChemistCat]

You've been living in an e-cave.

A Little History of Tourist Guy, and More Photos Than Your Stomach Will Tolerate

[austingirl]

Tornado on the ground 2 miles west of Bergstrom airport according to air traffic controllers. 1/4 miles wide, frequent lightning strikes, hail. Ben WHite BLVD I35 corridor.

[clamper1797]

So ... how did Motorola fare. It's VERY near William Cannon and Mopar

[deport]

It looks like it runs from San Antonio thru Autstin, Waco and into Dallas/Ft.Worth.. Along I-35

President Putin is getting a Texas weather welcome...

Click for enlarged picture