Austin and the surrounding areas are under a tornado watch
There is a tornado watch in effect until midnight tonight for the following counties in Texas: Travis, Burnet, Bastrop, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell, Lee, and Fayette. The public is urged to avoid the roadways and seek refuge.
The National Weather Service warns that tornadoes are possible, but that huge hail is the greater danger. Everyone in a watch area should be prepared to take action at a moment’s notice, the NWS advises.
Tornado warnings are issued when a tornado has been spotted or detected by weather radar.
A previous tornado warning for Williamson County has since been lifted. Tweets from the Williamson County Office of Emergency Management said that a probable tornado had been reported three miles south of Jarrell. The agency reported that Interstate 35 southbound was closed at Exit 271 in Jarrell due to an overturned 18-wheeler truck and urged drivers to find other routes.