Thousands without power in Lubbock, Amarillo areas during high wind dust storm

Yahoo

14-03-2025

Powerful winds and blowing dust on Friday have triggered thousands of power outages and contributed to poor driving conditions across the Texas South Plains and Panhandle.
Early Friday morning, a Blowing Dust Warning was placed for much of the region as winds sustained speeds between 40-50 mph. The National Weather Service in Lubbock expected gusts of up to 80 mph, and 90 mph were possible on the Caprock Escarpment. Conditions were similar in the Panhandle, where the National Weather Service in Amarillo reported a wind gust of 83 mph near its Amarillo office.
"With the strong sustained winds and expected gusts upwards of 70 mph today, we can also expect medium to high chances for areas of dust to blow in from New Mexico as well," reads a statement from NWS Amarillo. "This dust could cause local to widespread reductions in visibility during the morning through afternoon hours."
More: High winds, fire danger to hit Lubbock area Friday. Here's what to expect
A red flag warning was in effect for the region, with officials warning of increased danger for wildfires to spread.
The hazardous conditions also prompted some area schools to cancel classes Friday.
School events: Lubbock-area winds, dust storm reschedule high school baseball, softball district games
The high winds, paired with critical fire conditions, prompted Xcel Energy to warn customers that there could be Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) and a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in the Panhandle area. LP&L also stated on Thursday that their crews, already dealing with the after effects of a series of electrical fires and explosions Wednesday night at Texas Tech, were on alert for expected power outages throughout the city of Lubbock.
By 12:07 p.m., power maps from Xcel Energy reported 637 outage orders affecting 48,352 customers. Amarillo was the most affected with 27,354 customers and 271 outages. Xcel's map, outagemap-xcelenergy.com/outagemap/?state=TX, is updated every 10 minutes.
LP&L, which operates the majority of Lubbock, reported 54 outages affecting 1,632 customers. People can view the map at electricoutage.ci.lubbock.tx.us/gridvu/, which is updated throughout the day. South Plains Electric Co-Op reported 632 customers impacted.
High winds and blowing dust were making for dangerous highways and roadways across West Texas. The City of Lubbock issued a post telling people to avoid travel if possible.
"The City is urging citizens to stay indoors and off of roadways if at all possible this afternoon," the city stated on social media. "The US National Weather Service Lubbock Texas has issued a Blowing Dust Warning until 8 PM this evening for on the Caprock. Widespread blowing dust could reduce visibilities to 1/4 mile or less. Isolated wind gusts up to 90 mph will be possible."
All northbound and southbound main lanes of Interstate 27 at FM 54 near Abernathy were closed early Friday afternoon due to overturned vehicles. Traffic has been detoured onto frontage roads.
The Texas Department of Public Safety in Amarillo reported that, due to low visibility and high winds, DPS Troopers are working multiple crashes across the Amarillo District, mostly occurring in Potter, Randall, and Oldham County at this time.
"If possible, avoid travel," reads a statement from the DPS. "If you must get out in these dangerous conditions, Slow down, keep both hands on the steering wheel, do not stop on the roadway, and give yourself plenty of room between you and the vehicles in front of you, especially the high-profile vehicles as those are the ones more likely to blow over. Drive safe. Stay safe!"
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Xcel Energy, LP&L, South Plains Co-Op outage maps show thousands