3 p.m. Update: Meteorologists with the New Braunfels office of the U.S. National National Weather Service now confirm that Thursday’s late-night storms produced an EF0 tornado in the Startzville-Canyon Lake area.
According to a map provided by the weather service, the tornado first touched ground in Startzville and traveled southeast along a diagonal to the three-way intersection at FM 2673 and FM 2722 before continuing down FM 2722.
No injuries or deaths were reported.
The tornado had estimated peak winds of 85 mph with a path length of three miles and a maximum width of 250 yards. Damage was mostly to trees and some minor structural damage was reported, the weather service said.
Other sporadic straight-line wind damage also was reported in the Canyon Lake area.
An EFO is the weakest tornado on the Fujita Scale, which rates tornado intensity based on the severity of the damage they cause.
Weather Service Meteorologist Andrew Quigley confirmed Facebook reports of damage near Lowe’s in Startzville and downed trees on Naked Indian Road near FM 2673, right before the fork on FM 2722 are accurate.
Naked Indian Road was impassable last night due to large downed trees.
Damage to Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Rec Park also was reported, although no further details are available. Phone and internet connections are down.
Mike Dussere, general manager of the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORDCC) said crews are on-site at Comal and Canyon parks, which suffered some tree and sign damage.
Comal County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jennifer Smith said the severe weather caused trees and road signs to block various roadways. Numerous alarms and minor accidents were also reported.
A guest at Mystic Quarry on FM 306 reported her vintage trailer sustained hail damage overnight.
The good news for boaters is that Canyon Lake’s current elevation rose to 897.15, meaning the lake is now 76.4% full. At 5:40 p.m. Thursday, the lake was at 896.91 and 76% full.
More showers and thunderstorms are forecast for Saturday and Sunday, and quarter-sized hail is possible, Quigley said.
The good news is these storms will not be as severe as Thursday’s, Quigley said.
(Editor’s note: If you have any information about additional storm damage, please email us at info@mycanyonlake.com)
