Hail storm bearing down on Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Large hail and heavy rain began pelting the Texas Hill Country on Tuesday afternoon and made its way to Austin just in time for the evening traffic rush.

“Wicked hail storm outside of the Kingsland Massage Garage in Kingsland had drivers seeking cover in a nearby car wash and hunkered down in their cars for more than 20 minutes today,” one viewer said in an email to KXAN around 3 p.m

In Marble Falls, KXAN got a report that hail was piling up like snow and people were concerned about property being damaged. At Marble Falls High School, rain and hail came down as if someone was dumping five-gallon buckets from the rooftops. To watch, click on the video box above.

At least one Marble Falls car dealership reported that some vehicles were damaged by the hail.

Steady rain and rumbles of thunder rolled into Central Austin just after 5 p.m. But the system appeared to have shed the hail component as it moved through the metro region. Still, the worst of the rain was expected to hit Downtown Austin at the thick of the evening rush.

The hail and rain came as part of a storm system that greeted Central Texas on Tuesday morning and was said to be about the size of quarters and, in some cases, golf balls.

It came as part of a storm system that greeted Central Texas on Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Travis County and much of the surrounding areas. It was to remain in effect unto 11 p.m.

Austin Energy, meanwhile, put repair crews standing by for approaching storm activity. Austin Energy customers should report power outages to 322-9100.

By 5 p.m., the city owned utility said it had two outages with 16 customers affected in the 183 Anderson Mill area.

While the showers were welcome for rain-starved Central Texas, but they did make the morning commute a bit of a challenge for a number of motorists.

Hilly roads, like West Martin Luther King Boulevard, looked like a skating rink as cars and trucks slip-slided their way up and down the busy street.

Police Chief Art Acevedo put out an early morning tweet urging motorists to be extra careful. And by 9 a.m., Austin officers responded to 45 crashes across the city. On Monday morning, only 17 wrecks were reported.

As March came to a close, it became the fifth month out of the last six to end with below average rainfall amounts at Camp Mabry.  However, the month of April may have plans to ruin that dry run. 

The region is getting into the first week of the month with the threat for scattered showers and possibly even the chance for strong thunderstorms.

Light to moderate rain will threaten the area on and off through Tuesday ay as an upper level storm system passes to the north. As evening settles in, there will be a threat for heavier downpours, gusty winds, and even some hail.

The Storm Prediction Center has the metro and Hill Country communities in the “Slight Risk” area for severe weather through tomorrow morning.

The shower threat should die down by Wednesday evening.  By that time, many areas could pick up between a half inch and 2 inches of rain.

 
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