Damaging Winds in New Mexico, October 7, 1997

A fast moving storm with downbursting winds caused damage that started south of the Otis community and moved northward into Otis. The storm moved from about 200 degrees at 30 knots with all of the debris from the damage being blown in this direction. The storm first hit two trailers about 4 miles south of Otis. Tie-down straps held one trailer in place but sustained a few broken windows and a warped door. The other (unstrapped) trailer was blown over and rolled by the strong winds resulting in its destruction. The trailer rolled two times with the floor sitting upright displaced 35 yards to the north in a field. Most of the roof was torn off and was crumpled about 100 yards farther north in the field.The next area to suffer damage was 2-3 miles to the NNW of the trailers where a row of 30 foot trees along a property line were uprooted. Next, the winds hit a 3 year old house and ripped off about half of its tin roof. As the storm moved into Otis, the strong winds snapped a string of telephone poles along U.S. Highway 285.A damage survey of the area determined an affected area 4 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. Several houses within the damage area sustained no visible damage. All debris was blown from about 190-195 degrees and was only very slightly divergent.

Downbursting winds from this fast-moving storm uprooted a 10x15 foot metal barn from its concrete foundation. At the adjacent residence windows were broken by the wind and debris.

The storm that produced the damage near Lovington also knocked down utility poles along State Highway 18 between Lovington and Hobbs.