Power Outage in Brownfield, TX

A NWS storm survey revealed that a wet microburst hit the southern portion of the town of Brownfield from approximately 1735 to 1745 CST. Very intense winds leaned over or snapped off numerous power poles, damaged several mobile homes, and destroyed one mobile home. Two center pivots were also destroyed and numerous car windows were broken at the Rudd Correctional Facility. Given the magnitude of the damage, a National Weather Service damage survey team estimated that peak wind gusts of 100 to 105 mph likely affected the area.

Law enforcement reported downed power lines on some streets in Brownfield.

An isolated severe thunderstorm produced damaging winds near Brownfield during the evening of the 31st. A downburst resulted in 65 mph winds as measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near the city. At least three utility poles were snapped by the winds, and two circuits were damaged. Electrical service was knocked out to more than 125 customers through 03:00 CST on August 1st. A number of elderly residents were impacted by the power outage, and emergency officials provided generators to several who required oxygen breathing machines.

Strong to severe westerly winds and blowing dust again affected the South Plains region of west Texas on the 15th. The winds combined with ongoing drought conditions and a period of record heat to result in an extremely high fire danger and at least two large fires. Winds on the 15th were generally sustained in the 25 to 35 MPH range, but two severe wind gusts up to 60 MPH were measured by the West Texas Mesonet. Damaging winds downed power lines in Hockley County. A Buffalo Springs home and a nearby vehicle were destroyed by a raging wind blown fire when an outdoor cooker was damaged by the winds in Lubbock County. No injuries were reported. Measured severe wind gusts follow:Brownfield (Terry County).....60 MPHSlaton (Lubbock County)........59 MPH

Strong thunderstorm wind caused roof damage and blew down power lines in town.

Strong thunderstorm wind blew down at least eight power poles.

Strong thunderstorm wind snapped a power pole on Highway 62/82.

A strong pressure gradient along and just behind a cold front that passed through the South Plains during the late afternoon and evening hours on the 25th resulted in widespread 25 to 35 mph sustained wind. The West Texas Mesonet site 2 miles south of Brownfield measured a 60 mph wind gust. Minor wind damage was reported in and around Brownfield with power lines blown down, a few power poles snapped, and minor damage to several roofs.

Late this evening, the remnants of a high-based thunderstorm tracked across southern Terry County and produced damaging winds with a heat burst. An employee with Lyntegar Electric Cooperative reported at least 16 power poles were toppled from near Wellman northeast toward Brownfield. A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet station located two miles south of Brownfield recorded a ten-minute period of severe wind gusts as high as 77 mph. The heat burst that accompanied these damaging winds pushed the temperature from 88 to 96 degrees in the span of ten minutes.