Four Tornadoes Confirmed For Williamson, Hays Counties

The National Weather Service has confirmed a total of four tornadoes during last Sunday’s severe thunderstorms in Hays and Williamson counties.

In the aftermath of the story, the National Weather Service has been surveying areas around Austin that reported storm damage.

On Monday, NWS confirmed two EF-2 tornadoes had touched down in Williamson County. 

According to NWS, at least five single-family homes suffered tornado damage; straight winds may have been a factor in the derailing of 12 Union Pacific train cars.

NWS’s survey states straight winds caused the majority of damage to at least ten homes and twenty-four RVs, outbuildings and mobile homes.

On Wednesday, two more tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in Hays County. An EF-1 was reported to have touched down at the intersection of Ranch Road 12 and Hugo Road.

According to NWS, the twister traveled north through San Marcos until it reached the Kyle Cemetery.  At least one small business suffered structural damage, and a tree was found to have fallen on a vehicle.

An EF-0 tornado developed northwest of Niederwald.

The NWS’s preliminary report states a majority of the damage to central Hays County was caused by straight-line winds. In Mustang Ridge, several mobile homes suffered roof damage; an aluminum barn structure was destroyed, and a carport was damaged.

Officials believe the Niederwald/Mustang Ridge tornado lifted while approaching SH 130.

Current reports of last Sunday night’s storm are preliminary until a final review by the National Weather Service.  To see the preliminary path of the tornadoes check the National Weather Service’s Feb. 19-20 Severe Weather Event survey.