Thunderstorms slam Del Rio, knocking out power and damaging property

Power went out for several thousand Del Rio residents as thunderstorms swept through the city and left downed tree limbs and minor structural damage behind. A 56-mph gust was recorded at Del Rio International Airport, underscoring how hard the storm hit Val Verde County.

The National Weather Service warned of the danger as the storm moved in. At 4:55 p.m. CDT on June 5, radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Cienegas Terrace, about 7 miles west of Del Rio, moving east at 30 mph.

Forecasters said the storm could produce winds in excess of 40 mph and half-inch hail. They also warned that torrential rainfall was falling and could lead to localized flooding, adding another layer of risk for drivers and neighborhoods already dealing with wind damage.

In Del Rio, the immediate impact showed up in the power grid and along streets where limbs were reported down. The outage total reached several thousand residents, though the full extent of damage across homes and businesses was still being sorted out as the storm moved through the area.

The airport reading gave a clear measure of the storm’s strength. At Del Rio International Airport, the 56-mph gust exceeded the speed threshold in the weather alert and confirmed that the system had enough force to knock down branches and threaten weak structures across town.

For Val Verde County residents, the storm served as another reminder of how quickly severe weather can disrupt daily life in Del Rio. The combination of high winds, hail threat and heavy rain put pressure on roads, power lines and drainage areas all at once, with Cienegas Terrace and nearby parts of west Del Rio taking the first hit as the cell advanced east.