Tornado Hits Austin and other Texas Counties

NWS ^ | 11/15/01 | Lucas

[Lucas1]

Tornado reporting in Austin, Texas. There have been other tornadoes reported throughout Texas this afternoon.

Anyone in that area have any reports for us on damage?

[Gracey]

Yes he is close. Give him some time, couple of hours, before this mess clears up. The roads are in terrible shape, many impassible. That's an understatement.

[clamper1797]

Mopar = Mopac .... got Dodge on my mind. Been at the Motorola site MANY times at Oak Hill ... we were on a conference call to Austin (Oak Hill) at 1:00 Calif time and they had to head for the shelter. I was in the Hyatt on Barton Springs Road a couple of years bad ... just down the street from chuys ... when the small tornado hit TGIF at the bridge at Congress. I watched it go down the river

[mysterylover]

Thanks for the info, Gracey, my youngest son is at Baylor and it looks as if this storm is moving up I-35. I hope all of you in Austin will stay safe. My son is Austin is supposed to be taking his boss to dinner tonight. Boss is from Connecticut.

[wontbackdown]

"Better check with Jerry Falwell and see who is being punished and why."

LOL - You know of course that Austin is the only liberal city in Texas. Maybe Falwell is on to something!

[rockfish59]

mother nature sweeping out the lib/dims?

[umbagi]

I'm stuck at work up north (near 183 and Oak Knoll), home's down south (near Wm. Cannon and Manchaca). It's still pouring here, with great light show from my third-floor east-facing window.

I'm thinking about giving 360 a shot, headed south.

[austingirl]

Lamar is underwater from 29th street to Caeser Chavez (Ist St) next to the River. They are using boats to get around.

[austingirl]

The roads are bad. Last I heard the traffic lights were out at 183 and 360, that should be fun. Also, what about Lakewood, that always floods, they could close the road there and Spicewood Springs sometimes floods. Can you get a traffic report before you drive?

[Gracey]

Thanks. I think Putin left before the storm hit. He was on his way to New York - Ground Zero.

[austingirl]

I can see why you were concerned. My son's school is not far from Motorola and they rounded up the kids and put them in the gym for a while. It is still raining and doesn't look likes it's going to stop for hours. We don't get rain often, but when we do -look out!

[Ted]

BTW 183 North is one big parking lot - do not even try to go on 183! Power out all over the city, cars floating out into the street in East Austin, Pan Am rec center, 2100 E. 3rd street (not a low water crossing), per KVUE, local ABC affiliate. Flooding will clearly be a problem tonight.

New tornado warning just issued for New Braunfels area, Caldwell county, possible tornado 7 miles East of there, moving NE 10 mph. Rotation of tornado on Doppler radar in Manor as well, NE Travis county. Tornado warning for Travis and Williamson still in effect. Busy night...

[Gracey]

At least 20,000 residents without power by 6:15 p.m. By Jonathan Osborne

American-Statesman Staff
Thursday, November 15, 2001

Thunderstorms continued to rip through Central Texas this evening, spawning tornadoes and flash flooding.

In Austin, officials had declared a "major city emergency" only moments before a twister was reported to have torn the roof off the Montopolis Community Center in East Austin. Information on the 50 occupants of the building was not immediately available, said Warren Hassinger, spokesman for Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.

Meanwhile, flash flooding swelled creekbeds and turned streets into rivers, flooding major intersections and causing traffic gridlock. Austin police had reported 216 wrecks between midnight and 5 p.m. today.

At least 20,000 residents had lost power by 6:15 p.m. And major flooding of businesses was reported in low areas. City officials urged residents to stay off the streets, stay inside and monitor the situation.

You may contact Jonathan Osborne at josborne@statesman.com or (512) 445-3605.

[Cool Guy]

Thanks for the update. Be safe :)

[Gracey]

Yes you can. Go here and browse around.

http://www.austin360.com/autos/traffic

[Gracey]

Check out post #94 first to make sure the roads are clear.

[umbagi]

Thanks, austingirl. I'll check further on traffic. I was planning to go out the back way to Parmer, then to Mopac, then hit 360 from there -- but if the lights are out at 360/183, that would be a nightmare.

Oh, well, we've got col'beer in the frig, and a cot in the break room!

OTOH, Mama just called and said my Tivo just came in (UPS guy drenched and shivering! A new toy might be worth braving the traffic...

[Gracey]

Howdy Cool Guy. This weather is unusual in Austin but as they say, when it rains it POURS. :-) Miss you.

[umbagi]

Hey, thanks, Gracey -- I hadn't seen that one. It doesn't look good 'twixt here and there.

Stay dry, and keep the life preserver handy downtown!

[Cool Guy]

I am doing fine, Gracey. Just was worried about my friends and family in Austin. Praying y'all make it through this safe and sound. Miss ya, Racey Gracey :). Thanks for the update on the situation.

[nimc]

I just spoke to my son who was driving home from south of Austin to Marble Falls. He has been on the road for three hours and was still a half and hour from home. Wet, but safe. Quite an edcational day for a California boy.