AUSTIN, Texas – On May 27, 1997, a deadly tornado touched down in Central Texas, claiming 27 lives.

Weather experts at the time referred to the Jarrell tornado as the most powerful tornado on record, but that day there were about two dozen other tornadoes affecting the lives of Texans.

Austin City Council candidate Mackenzie Kelly was a fifth-grader at the time and was one of many students who rode the storm out at Live Oak Elementary.

“I remember it very clearly," said Kelly. "May 27, 1997 - the Central Texas tornado outbreak."

Kelly remembers her teacher telling the students to duck and cover.

Spectrum News meteorologist Dan Roberts took these photos of a tornado in Cedar Park on May 27, 1997. (Courtesy Dan Roberts)

“So we all filed out of the classroom single file and we lined the hallways," said Kelly. "My friends and I were scared but the calm voices of teachers like Mrs. Graham reminded us that we were okay."

While the students huddled in the hallways, 20 tornadoes touched down from Dallas to San Antonio, including the deadly Jarrell tornado.

Kelly recently shared her experience with her daughter, a fifth-grader who is currently the same age she was when the storm hit.

“I learned the value of telling stories and teaching people through telling stories to help prevent the effects of a disaster later on,” said Kelly.