The city of Childress was impacted by severe downburst winds during the evening of June 15th, 2008. A lone supercell thunderstorm moved southeast across the city producing significant hail and wind damage. The majority of windows on the east-sides of houses were damaged by the wind-driven hail. See damage pictures at the bottom of the page. Observations listed below from the WTM station located 2 miles NNE of Childress. Average 5-minute wind speed and direction with a peak 3-second wind gust.

Also available is a KLBB Radar Base Reflectivity Loop. Steve Cobb with NWS Lubbock made these radar loops: KLBB Radar Zoom Base Reflectivity Loop....KFDR Radar Zoom Base Reflectivity Loop.

West Texas Mesonet staff and the National Weather Service in Lubbock visited the area on June 16th. Damage pictures below, please click on the thumbnails for larger versions. Special thanks to city and county officials for helping with the damage survey.

   
Hail in southeast Childress 18 hours after the storm. Picture on the right of tree and garage damage in central Childress.

       
Roof damage in central Childress...south of the high school.


Gooseneck trailer (16-foot in length) rolled 100 yards to the south and southeast. Picture is just north of Childress (and just south of the mesonet station).

           
The worst wind damage was located along Highway 83...beginning 3 miles northwest of town....then moving south-southeast toward the Highway 287/83 split. Estimated winds in this area near 100 mph.

   
Damage near the intersection of Highways 287 and 83. Most of the damage in the town of Childress was to the east and southeast sides of structures. Light poles are bent to the west and west-northwest. Sign is bent to the northwest.


       
Damage to a strip mall near the intersection of Highways 287 and 83. Brick wall that failed is facing south while the east end of the building failed at roofline.

---