STORMS CAUSE DAMAGE IN BELLVILLE ON FRIDAY

  

A line of strong thunderstorms brought damaging hail through Austin County on Friday.

Large amounts of hail caused damage to cars, trees, and homes with officials saying that it most of it occurred on the south side of Bellville.

Residents report the hail was so large that it made it look like snow had fallen on the ground, and that it stuck around for at least 20 minutes after the storms had stopped.

Some residents also reported possibly hearing a tornado pass through the area with high winds.

The Bellville Police Department said that no one was injured, and that those who were displaced by the damage were taken in by family and friends.

Bellville Police also report that many utility poles and power lines were knocked down during the storm.

In an update that the Bellville Police just posted at 6:45am Saturday:

City electric and contract workers have worked throughout the night and continue to do so. There was extensive damage done to many poles and lines that had to be replaced or repaired. The power is back on any many areas of town, and still off in other areas. Streets that still remain without power are:

South Holland & crosstreets

South Live Oak & crosstreets

South Masonic & crosstreets

West Main Street (partial)

The Square (power out)

Estimated times for power restoration for these areas could be up to 2 to 3 hours according to the city’s electrical department.

Brookshire Bros, the Bellville Meat Market, and other convenient stores on the East side of town now have power again.

Here some aerial some aerial photos taken by Austin County Sheriff's Deputy Charles Jantzen using a drone.

Below are more photos submitted by Brad Tegeler: