Tornado

 Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County debuts refashioned mitigation plan

The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a revamped Hazard Mitigation Plan on April 29. Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said this plan — updated every 10 years — includes a detailed risk assessment, an inventory of infrastructure and mitigation strategies.
Bruce Clements, director of the Office of Emergency Management for Williamson County, asks the court to approve more forward with a FEMA application for tornado sirens, April 8. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Bruce Clements, director of the Office of Emergency Management for Williamson County, asks the court to approve more forward with a FEMA application for tornado sirens, April 8. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Grant could fund county tornado sirens

The cities of Granger and Weir are looking to the county to apply for federal grants that could bring tornado sirens to eastern Williamson County.
A March 21, 2022, tornado traveled through east Williamson County affecting Round Rock, Hutto and Granger. Photo by Gabe Cox.

A March 21, 2022, tornado traveled through east Williamson County affecting Round Rock, Hutto and Granger. Photo by Gabe Cox.

Tornadoes terrify Wilco, and rightly so

A storm makes its way through Central Texas. As it approaches, the clouded sky takes on a green hue and everything becomes eerily still. These are telltale signs that show a tornado is fast approaching.
Trailers lay on their sides Tuesday morning near Interstate 35 south of Jarrell after Monday evening’s storm. KATHERINE ANTHONY

Trailers lay on their sides Tuesday morning near Interstate 35 south of Jarrell after Monday evening’s storm. KATHERINE ANTHONY

Tornado causes property damage, overturned trailers near Jarrell

A tornado touched down in the north part of the county Monday evening as a cold front passed through the region, bringing high winds, rain and lightning. As of Tuesday morning, no loss of life had been reported, but damage was recorded in Jarrell.