Thunderstorm Wind — Webb, Texas

2017-05-21 · near (lrd)laredo Intl Arp, Webb, Texas

Event narrative

Damage survey in connection with a severe thunderstorm revealed straight-line wind damage along a line around 5 miles in length and 1 mile in width across northwest Laredo. The damage was from west of the intersection of Interstate 69W and Mines Road to the intersection of east Del Mar Boulevard and McPherson Road. Damage was widespread through this area with numerous large tree limbs snapped, shingle damage to homes, dozens of utility poles bent or broken. The most significant damage occurred at the U.S. Customs facility near World Trade Bridge #3 and to homes in the Villas San Agustin neighborhood. At the U.S. Customs facility, several tractor trailers were overturned, and extensive damage occurred to the metal roof of this facility with several air conditioners blown off. Wind gusts were estimated to be between 80 and 95 mph. The World Trade Bridge was closed to commercial cargo traffic for nearly a week. Within the Villas San Agustin subdivision, 4 new homes that were under construction, slid off their foundations and collapsed. Debris from these properties impacted several nearby homes causing extensive damage. Numerous homes in this subdivision lost shingles. Laredo Fire Station #9, located near Interstate 69 and Mines Road, lost its metal roof. Farther southeast, in the Dominion Del Mar, Terra Hills, and Northview subdivisions, numerous large tree limbs were broken, utility poles were bent or broken and a cement wall under construction at the Laredo Fire Department was toppled.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms developed over northeast Mexico during the afternoon of the 21st as an upper level disturbance moved across northern Mexico. An intense thunderstorm moved across the Rio Grande into the city of Laredo. Extensive wind damage occurred in the northern parts of Laredo from 80 to 95 mph wind gusts. Five homes were destroyed while around 50 single family and multi-family homes received major damage. Minor damage occurred to around 150 single family and multi-family homes. Major damage occurred to five businesses. Hail from golf ball to baseball size inflicted damage to roofs and cars across the city. After heavy rainfall with this storm, a second storm early in the evening produced heavy rainfall that led to flash flooding in the city.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.6004, -99.5173)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 698319. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.