NWS determines storm damage in San Antonio was from straight line winds, not tornado

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — The storm damage you’re seeing in the San Antonio area may look like a tornado ripped through the area, but the National Weather Service has determined straight line winds are to blame.

“Based on radar data, we don’t suspect that there was any tornadic activity with the storms that rolled through San Antonio Thursday, just very intense straight line winds in excess of 50 miles an hour,” said meteorologist Ethan Williams with the National Weather Service.

Photos and videos of something that looks like a tornado have been posted on social media, but Williams says those are scud clouds.

“During very intense thunderstorms, rapidly condensing air that is being lifted ahead of the storm can look like funnel clouds,” said Williams.

CPS Energy crews were working around the clock to restore power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

A woman who lives near Woodlawn Lake told KTSA News the electricity went out around 5 pm Thursday and did not come back on until 8:20 Friday morning.

Between 4:20 pm and 9:30 pm Thursday, the San Antonio Fire Department responded to calls for 110 downed power lines and 7 transformer fires.

City crews were busy removing tree limbs and other debris that were blocking roadways.