Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, February 24, 2007

Hundreds of power lines, trees, and other structures were blown down by high winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. In addition, signs and fences were blown down and shingles were blown off roofs. About 40,000 businesses and residents in the county were without power by mid-afternoon. Other wind damage occurred at a still-under-construction indoor practice facility at Texas Christian University. Two high school track students were injured when a first-aid table became airborne at a meet and hit them.|Fires were also a problem, as the winds sparked electrical equipment and arcing power lines fell onto structures and grass. Small grassfires became large blazes due to the winds.|Visibilities dropped as low as one mile at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as a cloud of dust overspread the region. The dust cloud was clearly visible by satellite and was estimated to be 400 miles long, 70 miles wide, and about 18,000 feet high. Operations were suspended at area airports due to the strength of the wind.

Hundreds of power lines, trees, and other structures were blown down by high winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. In addition, signs and fences were blown down and shingles were blown off roofs. About 50,000 businesses and residents in the county were without power by mid-afternoon. |Fires were also a problem, as the winds sparked electrical equipment and arcing power lines fell onto structures and grass. Small grassfires became large blazes due to the winds.|Visibilities dropped as low as one mile at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as a cloud of dust overspread the region. The dust cloud was clearly visible by satellite and was estimated to be 400 miles long, 70 miles wide, and about 18,000 feet high. Operations were suspended at area airports due to the strength of the wind.

At least twenty-five power lines and numerous trees were blown down by high winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. One large tree fell on and destroyed a gravestone. Several structures were blown down, including at least two large warehouses. On the 300 block of Houston Street in Sherman, the wind ripped the roof off a business and threw it onto another, causing the second roof to collapse. The huge impact blew out windows and knocked down power lines. Several cars including a police cruiser were buried under the roof debris.|Fires were also a problem, as the winds sparked electrical equipment and arcing power lines fell onto structures and grass. Small grassfires became large blazes due to the winds. One such fire occurred on Moore Street in Sherman, where a electrical substation's live wires sparked a grassfire.

Numerous power lines and trees were blown down by the winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Trees and power lines toppled onto houses and cars, causing extensive damage to roofs and carports. Downed power lines caused several grassfires and caused power outages at about 2,600 residents. In addition, Highway 160 between Highway 121 and Whitewright was closed due to downed lines.

Winds were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Hundreds of items including trees, power lines, signs, fences, and small outbuildings were blown down. A steel roof was peeled off of a business in downtown Lake Dallas, and many residences in the area also suffered roof damage. A construction trailer on Highway 377 was rolled over. In Little Elm, a utility pole fell on a car. At least one grass fire was started by a fallen power line.

Strong winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH caused several incidents of wind damage. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Power lines were blown down, causing grassfires. A barn was also blown down.

Strong winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew power lines over in Decatur. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. A vehicle was blown from a road near Newark and small buildings were blown from their foundations. The winds also caused roof damage and blew down signs and fences. In addition, fallen trees, power poles, and power lines caused power outages at about 4,500 residences and businesses in the county. The fallen power lines sparked at least eighteen grass fires.

Strong winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew power lines and poles over, resulting in power outages near Callisburg. The winds also blew in a huge cloud of dust, which reduced visibilities dramatically.

Winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew large trees over in Paris. A huge cloud of dust covered the county, reducing visibilities dramatically.

Winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew power lines down in Bowie. A huge cloud of dust spread across the county, causing visibilities to drop dramatically. Several homes and businesses suffered roof damage, ranging from shingle damage to the entire roof being blown off. Trees were also uprooted.

Winds blew thick dust and gusted to over 50 MPH for several hours. The winds caused several fires to ignite across the county, as power lines arced. Two canoers were blown from their boat in Lake Mineral Wells and had to be rescued. A few power poles were downed in the cities of Santo and Gordon. In addition, trees and signs were blown down countywide. A large barn sustained severe damage as part of it was picked up and thrown several feet.

Winds were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. A hundred-year-old grocery store in Valley Mills suffered major damage. Plywood and rocks were blown down at the front of the building. One store worker was struck by falling debris and suffered a minor concussion.

Strong winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH caused several incidents of wind damage. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Power lines were blown down, causing an oilfield tank battery to catch on fire.

Winds gusting to between 50 and 60 MPH blew a power pole across Highway 160 in Trenton, causing the highway to be closed for several hours. In addition, winds blew siding off structures and shingles were blown off roofs. A huge cloud of dust covered the county, reducing visibilities dramatically.

Wind speeds were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. One carport was blown away.

At least eight power lines and numerous trees were blown down by the winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Businesses had signs and windows blown out as well. The winds helped spread a grassfire near Athens, burning almost eight acres.

Winds were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Sheds and some small storage buildings were damaged by the winds.

Winds were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Trees were uprooted and one metal storage building was destroyed.

Several trees were blown down or uprooted by the winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Businesses had awnings and portions of roofs damaged. The winds helped spread a grassfire near CR 2513, which destroyed one barn and twelve abandoned vehicles.

At least two grass fires were fanned by strong winds associated with a strong low pressure system. Winds were between 20 and 40 MPH with gusts between 50 and 60 MPH. One fire caused 6,500 soldiers and family members to be evacuated from Fort Hood. No injuries or structual damage was reported in the fire. Another hundred people were evacuated from a grass fire in a Killeen neighborhood. The fire burned twenty-four backyard storage sheds and slightly damaged six homes. Three firefighters and two police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.