The 2020 Canyon Lake-San Marcos- Lockhart, Texas Tornado was a violent and long tracked tornado that caused signifigant damage in Comal, Hays, and Caldwell Counties in Central Texas on April 12, 2020. This was one of many Tornadoes to strike Texas on April 12. This Tornado was part of the 2020 Easter Weekend Tornado Outbreak , a Tornado Outbreak that spawned destructive and deadly Tornadoes across the Southern U.S from April 11-13, 2020
Tornado[]
Throughout the Morning thunderstorms had developed over Central, Northcentral and South Texas. These storms became severe shortly after Noon prompting the National Weather service to issue a PDS Tornado Watch for the listed areas At 12:05 PM CDT. At 4:25 PM CDT Strong supercells moved over Central Texas, dumping heavy rainfall and producing high wind gusts. Quarter size hail and 70 MPH wind gust were reported in Northern San Antonio and New Braunfels. At 4:47 PM CDT National Weather Service doppler radar detected rotation in a Supercell near Canyon Lake. Storm Spotters confirmed that a Tornado was on the ground near the Northeast end of the Lake. The Tornado was traveling east at 45 MPH. A Tornado warning was issued for Comal, Hays, and Caldwell counties in Central Texas. Several buildings near the lake suffered significant damage, deemed as EF3 damage by the National Weather Service. The Tornado continued east passing North of Sattler at 4:53 PM CDT. Some minor damage was reported in Settler though the town dodged a direct hit. Storm spotters reported severe damage in rural areas as the Tornado Tracked through Eastern Comal and Western Hays counties. Several well built homes suffered significant damage with 1 fatality in western Hays county from a person sheltering in a Mobile home. Wind Speeds were clocked at 185 MPH as the Tornado caused severe damage in Western Hays County. A Tornado Emergency was issued for San Marcos at 4:58 PM CDT as Doppler radar confirmed that the Violent Tornado would directly impact San Marcos. The City of San Marcos took a direct hit from the Tornado at 5:07 PM CDT. 3 fatalaties occured as the Tornado leveled a Neighborhood in Western San Marcos. Another 4 fatalaties occurred as the Tornado crossed through the Southern end of the Texas State University campus. Signifigant damage was reported on the campus with several buildings being swept away and university sports complexes suffering significant damage. The Tornado crossed over Sewell Park at 5:10 PM CDT Causing signifigant damage to the park before ripping through Eastern San Marcos. The Tornado crossed the I-35 corridor at 5:12 PM CDT flinging vehicles off the road. 2 Storm spotters were killed after thier vehicle took a direct hit and was flung off of the Interstate. The Tornado exited San Marcos at 5:15 PM Continuing east into Caldwell County. A Tornado Emergency was issued for Lockhart at 5:16 PM CDT with Lockhart taking a direct hit at 5:20 PM CDT. Severe tree damage was reported in Lockhart as well as signifigant damage to buildings and homes. 3 fatalaties occurred as a trailer park was destroyed. The Tornado dissipitated east of Lockhart at 5:28 PM CDT. The National Weather Service gave the Tornado an EF4 rating concluding that the damage in San Marcos was enough to warrant such a rating. The Damage in Lockhart was concluded to be high end EF3
Aftermath[]
Wip
Watches/Warnings[]
Tornado Watch 12:05 PM[]
The National Weather Service In Austin/San Antonio has issued a
*Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch for the following Counties: in Central Texas: Comal,Caldwell, Guadalupe,Bexar,Travis,Bastrop,Williamson,Gonzales,and Wilson until 9:00 PM Central Daylight Time
Severe Weather is expected to be present across Central Texas today with a high risk for a significant Tornado outbreak. All residents are advised to tune in to NOAA weather radio or weather news outlets and prepare for the possibility of a Tornado. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the formation of Tornadoes though a Tornado is not immenate Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio, commercial radio and news outlets for updates on severe weather.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 4:25 PM[]
The National Weather Service in Austin/San Antonio has issued a
*Severe Thunderstorm Warning for ... Western Comal, Hays, and Caldwell Counties in Central Texas
*Until 5:35 PM Central Daylight Time
*at 4:25 PM Central Daylight Time a Severe Thunderstorm was located West of Canyon Lake moving East at 45 MPH
HAZARD...60 MPH wind Gust and Quartersize hail
SOURCE.... Radar Indicated
IMPACT... hail damage to vehicles is expected, expect Wind damage to roofs, siding and trees
*Locations Impacted Include... Canyon Lake, Canyon Overlook Park, Jacob's Creek Park, Comal Park, Purgatory Creek Natural Area, San Marcos, San Marcos Regional airport, Texas State University, San Marcos premium outlets, Central Texas Medical Center, Martindale, Reedville, Maxwell, Interstate 35 in between Kyle and Hunter, Lockhart and Lockhart state Park
Recommended actions
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Tornado Warning 4:47 PM[]
The National Weather Service In Austin/San Antonio has issued a
*Tornado Warning for the following Counties.... in Central Texas Western Comal, Hays and Caldwell until 5:30 PM Central Daylight Time
At 4:47 PM Central Daylight Time National Weather Service Doppler Radar detected a severe Thunderstorm capable of producing a Tornado near Canyon Lake moving east at 35 MPH
*Hazard...Tornado and Quarter size hail
*Source.... Radar indicated
Impact....Tornado damage to homes, businesses and trees is expected
Locations Impacted Include... Canyon Lake, Canyon Overlook park, Jacob's Creek park, Sattler, Purgatory Creek Natural Area, San Marcos, San Marcos Regional airport, Texas State University, San Marcos Premium Outlets, Central Texas Medical Center, Martindale, Reedville, Maxwell, Interstate 35 between Kyle and Hunter, Lockhart and Lockhart State Park
Recommended Actions
TAKE COVER NOW, move to an Storm shelter or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, if outdoors or in a vehicle move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Heavy Rainfall may hide this Tornado, do not wait to see or hear the Tornado, TAKE COVER NOW.
Tornado Emergency 4:58 PM[]
TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS....
At 4:58 PM Central Daylight Time Storm spotters were tracking a large, dangerous Tornado 7 Miles west of San Marcos, moving east at 45 MPH, this Tornado is expected to directly impact San Marcos within the next 5 to 10 minutes. This Tornado is expected to be near.... Oak Heights at 5:07 PM....Texas State University at 5:09 PM.... Sowell Park at 5:10 PM....Interstate 35 at 5:12 PM.....and Two Rivers East at 5:15 PM....
a Tornado Warning remains in effect until 5:30 PM Central Daylight Time for Western Comal, Hays and Caldwell counties.
HAZARD....Deadly Tornado and Quarter size hail
Source....Storm Spotters confirm Tornado
Impact..... Significant Damage to Homes, Businesses and trees is expected.... complete destruction of mobile homes is guaranteed..... and complete destruction is possible rendering the area unrecognizable to survivors
Locations Impacted Include..... San Marcos, Texas State University, San Marcos Regional airport, Sewell Park, Crokett Elementary School, San Marcos Public Library, San Marcos City Hall, Interstate 35 in San Marcos, and the following Suburbs.... Franklin's Square/Bishop's crossing, Greater Castle Forest, Oak Heights, Southwest Hills, Park Place, Alamo, Forest Hills, Millview West, Millview East, and Two Rivers East.
Recommended Actions
a Dangerous Tornado is on the Ground.....To Protect your Life TAKE COVER NOW.....move to an Storm shelter or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.....if outdoors, in a mobile home or a vehicle move to the closet substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter..... to repeat... a dangerous Tornado is on the Ground, TAKE COVER NOW.