Damaging 70 MPH Winds Slam Lubbock, Texas as Flash Flood Warning Issued and Supercell Races East Friday Night
LUBBOCK, TEXAS — A damaging wind storm moved through West Texas Friday evening, triggering a flash flood warning in Lubbock after 1 to 2 inches of rain had already fallen and producing confirmed wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour.
Meteorologists reported that a supercell thunderstorm east of Lubbock began developing a bow echo structure — a radar signature often associated with powerful straight-line winds capable of causing structural damage and downing trees and power lines.
Flash Flood Warning After Heavy Rainfall
By Friday evening, rainfall totals in Lubbock had reached between one and two inches, prompting officials to issue a flash flood warning for the area.
With additional heavy rain embedded within the storm, low-lying roads and poor drainage areas were at risk of rapid water accumulation. Drivers were urged to avoid flooded roadways and use caution during the nighttime commute. The saturated ground also increases the risk of trees being uprooted when strong wind gusts accompany the storm.
70 MPH Winds Confirmed as Storm Moves East
The developing bow echo east of Lubbock was producing confirmed wind gusts up to 70 mph around 8 p.m. Friday. The storm was moving east at approximately 45 mph, placing communities in its path on alert for damaging wind impacts.
Radar imagery showed the strongest cells stretching from near Slaton and Crosbyton toward areas farther east, with lightning activity intensifying within the most severe cores. Bow echoes are particularly dangerous because they can push out widespread, straight-line winds across a large area rather than isolated gusts confined to a single thunderstorm cell.
Ongoing Severe Risk for West Texas Communities
As the storm accelerated eastward, areas including Crosbyton and locations farther into West Texas remained under threat for additional severe wind gusts and torrential rainfall. Residents were advised to secure loose outdoor items, stay indoors away from windows, and monitor local alerts for updated warnings.
Emergency management officials emphasized that storms capable of producing 70 mph winds can cause significant damage similar to weak tornadoes, even without a tornado warning being issued. Have severe storms impacted your area in West Texas tonight? Let us know what you’re seeing and stay connected with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for continuing updates.
