Power Outage in Kingsland, TX

A thunderstorm produced wind gusts estimated at 70 mph that knocked down trees and power poles from Sandy Mountain to Sunrise Beach on Lake LBJ.

A thunderstorm produced wind gusts estimated at 70 mph that knocked down power poles near Sunrise Beach on Lake LBJ.

A thunderstorm produced wind gusts estimated at 70 mph that knocked down power poles in Kingsland.

The line of thunderstorms struck Kingsland in the late afternoon, producing widespread wind damage across the northwest part of the town. The winds were estimated at 70 knots, based on the worst damage which occurred generally along FM1431 from near its intersection with FM2900 northwestward to Oklahoma Street. This is an area almost one mile long and one half mile wide. Medium to large tree limbs were scattered all over the area and numerous large trees had been knocked over or broken off above the ground. The total number of damaged trees was in the hundreds. In addition, many homes were damaged as the trees fell. Many of these trees had very shallow root systems and some showed signs of disease. The legs of a tall, three-legged water tower near the intersection of RR14231 and RR2545 were twisted by the winds, causing the tower to lean almost 4 feet off center and damaging the tower. As a result, it began leaking and several homes were evacuated, fearing that it might collapse. Roofs were peeled off dozens of homes and large pieces of aluminum roofing were sent flying everywhere. This was probably the most dangerous and frightening part of the event. Fortunately there were no injuries. The storms left several neighborhoods without power through the night and into the following morning. The NWS survey indicated that all of the damage was blown toward the southeast. This, and the large size and shape of the damage area, led the NWS Survey Team to conclude the damage was caused by severe thunderstorm winds and not by a tornado or series of tornadoes.

Authorities reported that roads and bridges began to ice over Monday night, forcing the closing of many county roads. City and county offices, as well as most businesses and all area schools remained closed on Tuesday, and reopened near noon on Wednesday. No power outages were indicated.