Three active severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service cover a corridor stretching from south-central Texas to the Louisiana Gulf Coast as of midday Wednesday, bringing hail, damaging wind gusts, and dangerous lightning to the region.
In Texas, the National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio has issued warnings covering Karnes, DeWitt, southeastern Atascosa, and southwestern Wilson counties through 1:15 p.m. CDT. A severe thunderstorm was located near Poth as of 12:36 p.m. CDT, moving east at 45 mph. The primary threat is quarter-size hail, with vehicle damage expected. The storm is tracking over mainly rural portions of east-central Atascosa and southwestern Wilson counties.
A separate storm system is active near the Louisiana coast. As of 12:35 p.m. CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles northeast of Port Fourchon — or 24 miles southeast of Galliano — moving east at 20 mph. The National Weather Service warns of 60 mph wind gusts and nickel-size hail with that storm, with expected damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations in the warning zone include Port Fourchon and Grand Isle, both low-lying coastal communities with limited shelter options.
In total, the warnings span affected areas across Jefferson and Lafourche parishes in Louisiana and multiple counties in the San Antonio metro’s southern and eastern fringe. Residents in Houston weather should monitor conditions as storm cells continue tracking eastward.
The National Weather Service is also flagging tornado risk with these systems. Forecasters note that tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms and urge residents who spot a tornado to immediately move to a basement or a small, interior room in a sturdy structure. Continuous cloud-to-ground lightning is reported with active cells; the agency advises moving indoors immediately upon hearing thunder.
Those in affected counties should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building and stay away from windows until warnings expire. Outdoor workers and motorists in south-central Texas and the Louisiana coastal plain face the highest immediate exposure.
Conditions are evolving rapidly. Check the National Weather Service for updated warning polygons and expiration times as storms move through the region this afternoon.