Power Outage in Olton, TX

A Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet site near Olton measured a wind gust to 75 mph. Furthermore, a NWS cooperative weather observed several power poles down along US Highway 84 southeast of Littlefield.

A broadcast media automated weather station at Del-Tex Airport in Olton measured a wind gust to 69 mph. Significant wind damage was reported in Olton by the emergency manager. Several power lines and trees were downed along with roof damage.

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site south of Olton recorded a 61 mph thunderstorm wind gust at 18:40 CST. Although minor power outages were reported in the area, no reports of damage were received.

A swath of severe winds accompanied a complex of thunderstorms over central and northeastern portions of Lamb County during the evening hours of the 25th. A 59 mph wind gust was initially recorded by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Amherst at 17:50 CST. A wind gust up to 66 mph also was recorded by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet south of Olton at 18:35 CST. Local officials and newspapers additionally reported light damage in the city of Littlefield. A fence was blown down at the Littlefield High School, and a roof was partially blown off of a building. Several power lines also were blown down. Widespread blowing dust also accompanied the winds.

A large and long-tracked tornado cut a path of damage twenty-nine miles in length and at times nearly three-quarters of a mile wide across portions of Lamb, Hale, Castro and Swisher Counties between 17:57 and 18:36 CST on the 21st. Total damages from the tornado were estimated to exceed $1.2 million, and one person was injured. |The development of this significant tornado was witnessed by storm chasers between Fieldton and Otlon at 17:57 CST. A National Weather Service damage survey team noted that the first damages to occur as a result of the tornado included five medium voltage power poles downed just east of the intersection of Farm to Market Road 168 and County Road 162. Just east of this location, the tops of five power poles were blown off to the north and two center pivot irrigation systems were overturned. One irrigation system was blown toward the west and another toward the northeast. |Farther to the northeast along the tornado's path, along County Road 152 just east of Farm to Market Road 168, two power poles were sheared off above the ground. At this location, a historic multi-story house that was originally constructed in 1913 suffered severe roof damage. A portion of the roof was blown off of the structure toward the southeast. The owners of the home were within days of completing a two year-long renovation. In addition, the skirting was removed from a mobile home across the street from the historic home. Several outbuildings near the residence also sustained minor damage.|The tornado continued northeastward and destroyed several more center pivot irrigation systems and snapped utility poles three to five feet above the ground along County Road 321. The tornado's damage path was measured at seven-tenths of a mile wide in this area. |As the tornadic circulation crossed U.S. Highway 70 two miles east of Olton, four homes were heavily damaged. Two well-built brick structures suffered total roof losses. The resident of one home, and elderly woman, suffered minor injuries while seeking shelter under a kitchen table. A number of light-weight medal structures were destroyed, along with three vehicles and several pieces of farm equipment. One family pet, a dog, was killed at one of the residences. |The tornado killed an unknown number of live-stock as it continued northeast of U.S. Highway 70. The damaging tornado crossed the Lamb and Hale County line at 18:10 CST.|The damages sustained by two of the well-built single-family residences, light-weight medal structures, and numerous utility poles support an EF-2 rating. Winds were estimated between 110 and 120 mph.|

Law enforcement officials reported that thunderstorm winds downed power lines in the Earth and Littlefield vicinities. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site south of Olton additionally recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph as the storms quickly moved northeastward through northeastern Lamb County. |

Strong thunderstorm wind uprooted trees, downed power lines and power poles, damaged the roofs of homes, and destroyed 15 center pivot irrigation systems.