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BLOG: Two tornadoes confirmed in Central Texas Tuesday morning

Severe storms rolled through Central Texas May 12.

AUSTIN, Texas — ***THIS BLOG IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION, CLICK HERE***

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The National Weather Service issued this statement Tuesday, May 13: 

At this point we will be confirming 2 tornadoes ... One that impacted McMahan in Caldwell County and the other west of Smithville in Bastrop County.

Check back on this blog for live updates: 

6:00 p.m. - Today's rainfall added up to more than six inches east of Kyle. In Austin, both official sites recorded over two inches of rainfall.

Credit: kvue

2:31 p.m. – Viewer Derek Crunk sent KVUE Chief Meteorologist Albert Ramon this video: 

1:07 p.m. – KVUE viewer Tract Fennell sent in this video of a tornado debris flying around video in Smithville earlier this morning.

1:05 p.m. – Here are some of the photos KVUE gathered from you.

1:00 p.m. – All Tornado Warnings in the Austin and San Antonio viewing area have expired, according to the National Weather Service.

12:45 p.m. – A tornado warning was issued for the area near New Braunfels, Gruene and Hunter until 1 p.m. 

12:30 p.m. – A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Lee County near Dime Box until 12:45 p.m. The tornado warning for that same area was expired.

12:12 p.m. – Spotters continue to report funnel clouds associated with this circulation headed towards Dime Box along Highway 21, according to the National Weather Service.

11:58 a.m. – The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning in Lee County, including the Lincoln and Dime Box until 12:30 p.m.

11:53 a.m. – A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Hays and Travis counties until 3 p.m. 

11:47 a.m. – TxDOT issued a traffic advisory for the Austin area as heavy rain created puddles along some roads. 

11:45 a.m. – A severe thunderstorm warning near Lexington in Lee County was issued until 12:15 p.m. 

According to the National Weather Service, the circulation has moved out of Bastrop County, ending the tornado threat for Bastrop County as all of the strong storms are now to the N & E of the county. But the circulation remains strong west of Giddings. 

11:30 a.m. – The tornado warning issued for Bastrop and Lee counties, where rotation was indicated along Highway 290 near Paige, has been extended to noon. Hail in this storm near Paige is producing quarter to dollar size.

11:11 a.m. – A flood advisory was issued for Travis, Hays and Comal counties until 2:15 p.m. 

11:02 a.m. – A tornado has been confirmed northwest of Smithville by the National Weather Service. KVUE viewer Valarie Harmon sent us this video of a tornado moving through Upton, which is near Smithville. Cadie Marrs sent KVUE some video, as well.

KVUE's Luis de Leon was sent pictures from Smithville City Manager Robert Tamble of the storm near Smithville Municipal Airport.

10:54 a.m. – The tornado warning for Bastrop and Lee counties was extended to 11:30 a.m.

10:49 a.m. – A tornado warning for Bastrop and Lee counties was issued until 11 a.m. Bastrop County has two warnings: one west of Smithville and one north of Smithville. The storm is moving in a northeast direction at 20 mph.

10:45 a.m. – One of the three tornado warnings in Bastrop County, which was near Cedar Creek, has expired.

10:37 a.m. – A third tornado warning was issued in Bastrop County just southwest of Smithville. The warning was issued until 11 a.m.

10:34 a.m. – The tornado warning in Fayette County has been expired.

10:20 a.m. – Two tornado warnings were issued for Bastrop county until 10:45 a.m. Tornado warnings were also issued in Lee and Fayette counties.

Meanwhile, heavy rain extends into Hays and portions of Travis County . 

10:15 a.m. – A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Bastrop and Caldwell counties until 11 a.m.  We are watching rotation in this storm, heavy rain, strong winds. Storm is moving northeast at 15 mph.

10:00 a.m. - The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Bastrop County.

10:00 a.m. – The National Weather Service expired the tornado warnings.

9:45 a.m. – The National Weather Service extended the tornado warning for Bastrop County until 10 a.m. 

9:15 a.m. – A tornado warning has been issued for Bastrop and Caldwell counties until 9:45 a.m. At 9:15 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 10 miles east of Lockhart, moving northeast at 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service. 

KVUE's Mariel Ruiz gave an update on the tornado warning here: 

TORNADO WARNING - update with Mariel Ruiz.

Posted by KVUE on Tuesday, May 12, 2020

A shift in the tide has begun Central Texas. The lovely weather that wooed our family and friends to venture outdoors and soak up the rays will be a bit harder to find in the days to come. 

Moisture and humidity levels have climbed thanks to breezy southeasterly winds off the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, more cloud cover is seen Tuesday. 

We are tracking two clusters of storms that will bring rain into the area. Our southern counties will see rain due to storms building in from the south. Our western counties will see rain due to remnant storms from Monday's West Texas storms. Rain moves in mid-morning and will move, overall, from west to east through the afternoon. 

Credit: KVUE

A few storms could be on the strong side with heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail as the main threats. Rain moves out of the area by 9 pm Tuesday. Rainfall totals for the area on Tuesday will be between one to two inches. 

Credit: KVUE

A mostly dry pattern continues for Wednesday and Thursday. 

Better chances for rain will come Friday evening and the weekend. Weekend rain will be heavy at times. Rain totals in the next seven days are expected to be between 3 to 3.5 inches with some localized areas of over four inches. This increases our flood threat. 

Credit: KVUE

Stay tuned as we fine tune the weekend forecast!

The KVUE Storm Team will continue to monitor this developing forecast. 

The extended forecast can be found below: 

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