NWS Lubbock

2011: A storm system moving out of the Rockies sent a powerful cold front through the southern Texas Panhandle, South
Plains, and Rolling Plains during the early evening hours of the 17th. The cold front received a large acceleration
southward due to convective virga near Hereford and soon began surging south at 55 mph into the South Plains. Extreme
pressure rises behind this front on the South Plains created a widespread high wind event along with an extremely vivid
and dangerous haboob. Visible satellite images estimated the length of the haboob to be around 250 miles extending from
eastern New Mexico through the South Plains. Visibilities were reduced to between zero and 1/4 of a mile across much of
the South Plains. Widespread damage was also observed with the most extensive damage in the Lubbock area. The haboob
generated national media interest and was compared to historic photos of similar events during the "dirty 30s"
and the dust storms of the 1950s. Total economic damages were estimated at $25M. Parmer County saw some trees and tree
limbs down in the city of Friona. Power lines, trees, and a barn roof were blown down in Castro County. An irrigation
pivot was overturned in Lamb County. Power outages were reported across Bailey County. Power lines were blown down in Hale
County. In Hockley County, trees and power lines were blown down as well as a roof blown off of a gas station. Power lines
were blown down in Yoakum County. Trees and power lines were blown down in Terry County in the city of Brownfield. In the
city of Post in Garza County, street signs, fences and trees were blown down as well as shed and patio roofs blown off.
Numerous power outages were reported around the city of Lubbock. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport also
sustained heavy damages. There was damage to the air traffic control tower as well as the airport fire station.
Additionally, one wildfire was intensified by the severe winds in Garza county. Smoke from this wildfire caused the
closure of US Highway 84 between County Road 220 and Highway 380. A list of severe wind gusts measured by the Texas Tech
University West Texas Mesonet, KVII-TV Schoolnet, and Automated Surface Observing Systems follows: 71 mph at Friona, 77
mph at Dimmitt, 66 mph at Hart, 61 mph at Muleshoe, 68 mph at Amherst, 66 mph at Olton, 59 mph at Plainview, 58 mph at
Abernathy, 60 mph at Morton, 69 mph at Anton, 74 mph at Lubbock, 71 mph at Slaton, 60 mph at Wolfforth, 65 mph at Plains,
60 mph at Brownfield, and 75 mph at Post.