Last Map Update: Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 6:36:51 am CDT
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Local Weather History For October 8th...
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1947: A devastating hailstorm for 40 minutes inflicted $2 million USD in combined damages to all buildings, crops and
vehicles in Levelland. Adjusted for inflation, this is $21 million USD in 2016. The storm began at 3:30 PM and produced hailstones as big as baseballs. Driving rain measured at 2.24 inches accompanied the 40-minute onslaught of ice and clogged city streets with around half a foot of hail floating in water. The city resembled a wintry scene for hours after the storm as piles of hail littered streets, lawns and fields. A reported estimated that nearly every building in Levelland suffered heavy roof damage and thousands of window panes were said to have been shattered. Area cotton crops could have escaped most of these losses had there not been a critical shortage of cotton pickers in the few weeks leading up to the storm. One farmer who had just harvested Irish potatoes and piled them on the ground to be hauled away in the following days suffered a complete loss from the barrage of hail. This was also the second hailstorm to strike Levelland this year. The first hailstorm occurred on June 25, but was far less vicious and shorter in duration than this Fall event. |