Power Outage in Jayton, TX

A downburst caused widespread damage to structures, trees, and about one dozen power poles in and around Jayton. Photos provided by the local Emergency Manager indicated numerous homes sustained mostly light roofing damage, although two homes completely lost their roofs. A few homes had west-facing windows blown out from airborne gravel and stones. Several trees were completely uprooted by these fierce straight line winds. Damage to structures was further compounded by waves of heavy rain overnight that caused water damage to walls, flooring, and personal property. An initial loss estimate of $300K was assigned for all damages.

South Plains Electric Cooperative reported that ten power poles were blown over along State Highway 70 just south of US Highway 380 southwest of Jayton. Furthermore, a sheriff's deputy with Kent County reported that windows in a barn were destroyed; most likely by wind driven hail.

Similar to an earlier supercell in Floyd and Crosby Counties, intense downburst winds in the rear flank downdraft created prolonged and widespread destructive winds in northeast Kent County. These winds were likely enhanced by a strong mesocyclone that earlier was tornadic in southeast Dickens County. A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet located one mile SSE of Jayton recorded 20 consecutive minutes of severe wind gusts ranging from 59 mph to 92 mph! In Girard and Jayton, scattered structural damage was commonplace and at least one trailer was completely destroyed. At least one home in Girard lost a portion of its roof, but damage to most homes in Girard and Jayton was less severe and consisted of shingle loss, damage to siding, cracked or shattered windows, and toppled fences. Several trees were damaged; one of which totaled a car in Jayton after landing directly on the vehicle. Damage to area farm and ranch land consisted of toppled center pivots and large storage tanks. Power outages were common as several dozen power poles were snapped. Fortunately, no injuries occurred during this extended bout of destructive winds; however, damage to some homes was compounded by heavy rains entering damaged roofs and cracked windows resulting in water damage to carpets, walls and furniture. A NWS storm survey the following day in Girard and Jayton uncovered classic divergent debris patterns associated with downbursts. Monetary losses are estimated at this time and may rise once insurance figures become available.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Jayton initially recorded a thunderstorm wind gust of 64 mph at 16:50 CST. By 17:15 CST, a 58 mph gust was additionally recorded by the same mesonet site. Local law enforcement officials reported that several utility lines and poles were blown down in the Jayton vicinity. Authorities reported that a number of residents were without power throughout much of the night.

Several trees and power poles downed by strong thunderstorm winds.