A ferocious storm kicked up a massive amount of dust in Lea County and West Texas on Monday afternoon.
The haboob (dust storm) caused residents in the area to lose power and telephone services. Strong wind gusts up to 80 mph damaged 30 transmission poles, and several wooden distribution poles, Lea County Electric Cooperative said.
Customers experienced power outages throughout the area, including residents in and around Lea County as well as areas of West Texas. About 37% of all LCEC electric meters were affected, according to Rosie Insilan, Manager of Marketing & Member Services at LCEC. However, as of Wednesday morning, all but 2.5% of meters were working as normal.
Along with the dust, dime-sized hail was reported, which has the potential to crack or shatter car windshields and windows.
Many residents are still assessing and repairing damages to property.
Dust storms can vary in severity and size, and thus are categorized differently based on a number of factors. The type of storm that Lea County and West Texas experienced on Monday is labeled a haboob: “dust storms caused by strong winds flowing downward and outward from thunderstorms”, according to The Weather Channel.
No matter the name, any type of dust storm can knock down powerlines and can cause visibility to be reduced to nearly zero, posing extremely dangerous conditions for drivers.
Motorists are encouraged to take precautions when hitting the road in the midst of a sandstorm. If dust is blocking your view while driving, it is recommended to pull your vehicle completely off the road and turn on your lights, according to The National Weather Service.
If you come across a downed power line, you should stay as far back as possible and alert law enforcement or the electric company.
