Severe storms unleash tornadoes, damaging wind and hail in Texas
Another round of damaging severe thunderstorms is erupting across parts of the southern Plains.
The threat on Friday stretches across central and eastern Texas. This includes the cities of San Antonio, Austin, Waco and areas northwest of Houston.
Two possible tornadoes left behind damage in Fayette County, Texas, Friday morning, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Fayette County law enforcement confirmed a tornado near Flatonia, with reports of damage in the area. Several industrial buildings were also damaged by a possible tornado along Highway 71 west of La Grange.
Fayette County EMS Director Sharon Muzny shared on Facebook a photo of a nearly destroyed church in Plum, Texas. While assessing the damage, she had noticed an intact art piece of the Last Supper and a crucifix still fixed on the otherwise destroyed church walls.
A survey team from the National Weather Service is currently en route to Fayette County to assess the damage.
Residents of Eagle Lake, Texas spotted a tornado in the area around 3 p.m. CDT and one caught the storm on video. The Storm Prediction Center later confirmed it. There hasn't been any damage reported yet from this occurrence.
Severe storms are expected to ignite across the area through Friday evening.
"Hail, damaging winds and even a few isolated tornadoes are all possible in areas that have already seen multiple rounds of severe weather this spring," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
Any thunderstorm can also produce heavy amounts of rain in a short period of time, leading to flash flooding.
The persistent rounds of rain this spring has led to saturated soil conditions across the region. Dallas, San Antonio, Waco and Austin have received 1.5 to 3 times as much rainfall than normal during the month of April.
The Friday evening commute can be a dangerous one along portions of interstates 10, 35, 37 and 45.
"If caught in one of these heavy thunderstorms while driving this afternoon, slow down to reduce the risk of hydroplaning and turn on your hazard lights," Buckingham said.
As of Friday afternoon, there have been over 500 delayed flights from George Bush Intercontinental and Dallas/Fort Worth airports according to FlightStats.
Brief relief will be in store across most of the southern Plains over the weekend as the main storm system responsible for the rounds of severe weather heads eastward.
"Thunderstorm activity will focus on the far western portions of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, over the weekend," Buckingham said.
These, commonly known as dry-line thunderstorms, will bring an isolated threat for severe weather in these areas.
The punch of drier air will also allow residents in parts of the southern Plains to have an increased opportunity to view the upcoming meteor shower on Saturday night.
However, the threat of stormy weather will return across the region next week.
"The threat for heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms will return to the region next week," Buckingham said.
These rounds of downpours could reignite the flooding threat next week as well.
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