Austin Texas News

Austin ranks among the worst major cities in the country for wildfire risk. AUSTIN, Texas — Once officials begin heeding the warning of fire danger is when Austinites should know that summer is fast-approaching. Leaders with the city of Austin, Travis County and local fire chiefs got together Tuesday to talk about the increased threats and reiterated the importance of having a plan when a fire sparks nearby. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the city…

Texans are expected to save $2.3 million during the emergency supplies tax break, which includes items like generators, fuel containers, and flashlights. TEXAS, USA — With severe weather season approaching, Texans can buy emergency preparation supplies tax-free from April 26 to 28 during the state’s annual sales tax holiday. The tax-free period begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 26 and ends at midnight Monday, April 28. Shoppers are expected to save approximately $2.3 million in…

Businesses and homes that sit on just over half of all habitable land in the City of Austin are now at risk of being destroyed in a wildfire, according to a map City Council members adopted Thursday. The map is included in changes to the city’s Wildland-Urban Interface, or WUI, which regulates areas where wilderness abuts development and homes and businesses are most likely to be wrecked by wildfire. Historically, homes in West Austin have…

President Donald Trump approved Gov. Sarah Sanders request for assistance with the state response to storms, tornadoes and flooding that began April 2. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that President Donald Trump has approved federal assistance in response to the severe weather hitting Arkansas.  Arkansas requested an Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to assist with the state response to storms, tornadoes and flooding that started on April 2. After last…

A system moving over South Texas will bring Austin a solid chance for rain amid extensive drought. AUSTIN, Texas — We’re off to a warm start this week in Central Texas, but temperature will gradually cool past the middle of the week, laregly due to widespread shows and thunderstorms. Here’s what we’re tracking. Wash of rain for Central Texas this week This week’s weather will become more active each day as widespread moisture tracks in…

It will probably come as no surprise that hailstorms in Texas are causing more damage than they used to. The size of hailstones also seems to be growing with comparisons to baseballs, softballs, and even cantaloupes, being reported more often year after year. Both are trends that have caused people to wonder whether global warming is to blame. The answer: maybe. But there are also other reasons hailstorms are becoming fiercer. To understand how climate…

Not everyone will see rain, but where storms form, some could be strong with wind or hail. AUSTIN, Texas — We hadn’t been active for much of Sunday, but we are now tracking some strong storms making their way through the Hill Country that could eventually reach the I-35 corridor and cause issues for the Austin metro. Timing for this will be around 8-8:30 p.m., before exiting out of the Coastal Plains by 10 p.m. …

Not everyone will see rain, but where storms form one or two could be strong with wind or hail. AUSTIN, Texas — It was a fantastic Saturday across Central Texas, but now we’re looking ahead to some changes in our forecast. These changes will include a quick storm chance Sunday evening with the potential for a couple of strong storms, followed by our most promising rain chances in a while, expected on Thursday and Friday…

The fire quickly spread with high wind and low humidity. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — An estimated 2,000 acres are burning in a wildfire in San Jacinto County near the Montgomery County line, prompting evacuations and a school district to close. High wind and low humidity provided the fuel the fire needed to quickly spread. According to an update from Texas A&M Forest Service at 9 a.m. Thursday, the Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto…

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,000 acres and is 20% contained, with high winds and low humidity fueling its spread. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,400-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. As of Thursday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the fire is 20% contained, with air attack…

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,420 acres and is 20% contained, with high winds and low humidity fueling its spread. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,420-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County. As of Thursday afternoon, Texas A&M Forest Service…

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,375 acres and is 65% contained. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,375-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One possibly occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County along with two other small structures. As of Friday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the…

Firefighters are battling the Pauline Road Fire, which spans 2,375 acres and is 65% contained. SAN JACINTO COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters are battling an estimated 2,375-acre wildfire near the Montgomery County line, where high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions have fueled the spread of the Pauline Road Fire. One possibly occupied home was lost in San Jacinto County along with two other small structures. As of Friday morning, Texas A&M Forest Service reported the…

As Texas becomes hotter and drier, and urban sprawl grows, the state could see more days with an elevated risk for wildfires. So far this year, Austin has had five of these days, also known as red flag warning days, and all of them have been in March. Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said over the last 20 to 25 years Texas has seen many large wildfires. He said a combination of human activity and…