Central Texas is known for its extreme weather. Summer temperatures may hover in the 90s to low 100s, but in the winter, it’s common for folks in Austin to start the day with the heater on and switch to the air conditioning in the afternoon. With a climate prone to drought and a topography that encourages flooding, you never know what you’ll get.
[Related: Find more news about Austin.]Here’s a look at some of the most notable weather events to strike the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world:
Bastrop Wild Fires
2011 brought the state of Texas its worst drought ever recorded. June through August saw some of the hottest temperatures in the state’s history, as well, according to state climatologist John W. Neilsen-Gammon.
The result was a dangerous combination of heat and lack of moisture that set the stage for the costliest wild fire in Texas history. Over the long Labor Day weekend beginning September 4, 2011, 1,673 homes were destroyed, and two people lost their lives, according to the Insurance Council of Texas. In all, the fire caused $325 million in damage.
Jarrell Tornado
In the sleepy little town of Jarrell, Texas, just 35 miles north of Austin, a category 5 tornado struck with little warning, killing 27. The Jarrell storm was one of 22 tornados reported in Central Texas on the afternoon of May 27, 1997, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The storm had a 7.6-mile damage path, and was three quarters of a mile wide. It obliterated the Double Creek Estates subdivision, leaving only foundations where 40 homes once stood.
What makes this event remarkable is that tornados are relatively uncommon in the Austin area. The terrain is simply not conducive to the development of twisters, and this one was a doozy. Only 1 percent of all tornados fall into the “violent” category, defined as a Fujita Scale class 4 or 5.
[Related: Thunderstorms pound Texas; tornado hits Austin.]The Fall Deluge of 2001
On November 15, 2001, the rain began to fall when a slow moving storm system stalled out west of Austin. As the tempest pounded the city in unrelenting waves of rain, creeks began to overflow, and the city’s drainage system was challenged beyond capacity.
When all was said and done, 860 buildings sustained flood damage, with some homes almost completely submerged in the impromptu bodies of water that sprang up in low-lying areas of the city such as Onion Creek, Shoal Creek, and South Boggy Creek.
Hurricanes Madeline and Lester
At over 200 miles from the coast, Austin is not generally considered a danger zone for hurricane activity, but it all depends on the strength and direction of the winds. On October 17, 1998, two hurricanes in Mexico brought catastrophic flooding to the Austin area. Twin hurricanes Madeline and Lester damaged 454 homes. Statewide, 31 people lost their lives.
Memorial Day Flood of 1981
Sometimes even a short storm can cause devastating damage. The Memorial Day flood of 1981 was a perfect example of a rain event that dumped so much water on the city in such a short amount of time, the drainage infrastructure was simply overwhelmed.
The flooding came on so quickly, it claimed the lives of 13 people and caused $36 million in property damage.
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