High Wind in Lubbock, Texas

Strong to occasionally severe gradient winds were associated with the passage of a strong storm system over the Texas Panhandle on the 20th. Westerly winds were generally sustained in the 30 MPH range with gusts approaching 55 MPH over a large part of the South Plains region. Winds were enhanced, however, over the central sections of the South Plains where three severe gusts were recorded by the Texas Tech West Texas Mesonet. These severe gusts were immediately south of an advancing cold front. Weak and very high based cumulus clouds with virga were observed in advance of the front, but it is unclear through radar analysis and observations if the wind gusts were convectively enhanced.Damage that resulted in one death and nine injuries was associated with the winds at 12th Street and Slide Road in Lubbock. A local restaurant, The Little Panda, was destroyed during the noon lunch hour when a wind gust blew down a sign mounted to the structure's roof and caused the establishment to fail in a collapse. Nearly thirty people were trapped under the rubble when rescue teams arrived. Minor roof damage to several homes also was reported throughout the city.Several utility poles also were blown down north of Post in Garza County. A list of severe wind gusts follow:Anton (Hockley County)................60 MPHReese Center (Lubbock County).....61 MPHGraham (Garza County).................63 MPH