A severe line of early spring thunderstorms that carved a path of destruction across central Texas spawned at least five tornadoes, including one that wreaked havoc in Hutto, Granger and Taylor.
Early reports were still coming in the night of Monday, March 21, so the total extent of property damage and any injuries was still being assessed.
"The City of Taylor Communications Office confirms damage from a tornado that touched down in the northwest part of the city earlier this evening," said Taylor's municipal government in a statement Monday. "Damage includes downed power lines on County Road 368, roof damage to buildings and out buildings on Cotton Row Lane, and debris blocking the roadways near Chandler Road and County Road 101. No injuries have been reported as of 7 p.m."
A sweep of the area by a Taylor Press storm chaser indicated widespread damage in several areas.
Travis Steglich, who Monday night was taking stock of any damages to the storage unit he owns at 1185 S.H. 95 in Granger, tried to look for a silver lining in the wake of the chaos.
“You think you’ve got something until you ain’t. No guarantee,” he said. “Glad no one got hurt.”
In a call to the newspaper, Carl Caldwell reported heavy damage to telephone poles, homes, railroad tracks and more in Granger, but no immediate injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, homes on County Road 346 sustained heavy damages, and another structure was leveled near that area.
The road was cordoned off by law enforcement and first responders.
Much of the observable damage was relegated to north of Taylor.
High winds, blinding rains and hail also accompanied the storm that created tornado action across the region, with reports of funnel clouds near Elgin, Giddings, Lockhart, Smithville and other areas.
The tornado that passed through Hutto and Taylor was first spotted in Round Rock near Interstate 35 and Texas 45, then moved to U.S. 79 and began moving east, officials said.
Officials reported damaged structures in Round Rock. Kalahari Resorts, west of Hutto, sustained minor damage and had a gas leak that was resolved. Residents were given the all clear to return to their rooms in the early evening.
The worst of the rapidly moving storm, which struck the area about 6 p.m. and was preceded by lashing rains, lasted about two hours before the system moved out.
Forecasts for Tuesday, March 22, call for sunshine, with early morning temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s before the mercury rises to near 70 degrees.
For more details, see the Wednesday e-Edition of the Taylor Press for March 23. In the meantime, send us your photos and tell us about your experience with the storm at [email protected]. Our thoughts are with our community.
