Texas severe storms turn deadly after 1 person swept away by floodwaters in Austin

Austin backyard flooded and slammed with hail during severe thunderstorms

An Austin backyard was flooded and slammed with hail during severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon. 

AUSTIN, Texas – A body was recovered after a person was swept away by floodwaters in Austin, Texas, Wednesday evening as powerful thunderstorms moved across a large swath of the Lone Star State.

The storms produced damaging winds, hail and flash flooding that triggered water rescues and left thousands without power.

The Austin Fire Department told FOX Weather that one person was killed in the flash flood event. They performed nine water rescues, with most incidents involving people stranded in vehicles or trapped in areas where floodwaters rose rapidly. The department said there are no active searches, and everyone has been accounted for.

Doppler radar indicated storms were capable of dropping more than an inch of rainfall per hour, which can quickly overwhelm drainage systems in low-lying areas. Austin officials said in a news conference that 2-3 inches of rain fell in a half-hour span.

WATCH: TEXAS STREET TURNS INTO A RAGING RIVER AS STORM DUMPS HAIL, TORRENTIAL RAIN ON AUSTIN

Widespread power outages were also reported across the region as strong winds knocked down trees and power lines. Some 30,000 customers were still without power in Travis County on Thursday morning.

Austin Energy representatives said winds knocked down more than 100 power poles, and power restoration for some could take several days. Mutual aid crews have been requested from neighboring utilities to help speed up recovery.

Wind gusts were estimated to be between 70 and 80 mph, which is equivalent to the force experienced during a Category 1 hurricane.

WATER RESCUES REPORTED IN SAN ANTONIO AS STORMS SNARL TRAVEL IN TEXAS

Winds rip down gas station awning in Austin

Powerful thunderstorms moved across a large swath of the Lone Star State on Wednesday. The deadly storms produced damaging winds, hail and flash flooding that triggered water rescues and left thousands without power.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport suffered minor damage, but operations were not impacted, according to officials. The airport recorded a 77-mph gust during the height of the storm.

Winds were also strong enough to rip down a gas station awning on top of an unoccupied vehicle in Northwest Austin, as well as a large fence on the University of Texas baseball field.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued by the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service office about 6:30 p.m. local time.

The NWS reported golf ball-sized hail in and around Travis County.

In addition to the heavy rainfall in Austin, nearby San Antonio also experienced flash flooding, particularly along the busy Interstate 35 corridor.

Austin, Texas pelted by hail, rain during severe thunderstorms Wednesday

Austin, Texas saw up to golf ball-sized hail Wednesday evening as severe thunderstorms moved through the area.

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Flash flooding is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., with an average of 127 fatalities each year, according to NOAA data.

According to National Weather Service forecasters, just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and a foot of floodwater can carry a car away.

The agency often reiterates the phrase "Turn around, don’t drown," while referencing the dangers of driving through water of unknown depths.

As of Wednesday evening, skies had cleared, but chances of additional rainfall were in the forecast through the end of the workweek.

Torrential rains lead to flash flooding in San Antonio

Heavy rains Monday night flooded some roads in San Antonio, leading to some chaotic scenes for drivers.