For West Texas, storm season can take a toll on communities physically, mentally and fiscally with a single storm becoming a natural disaster.
Many prayers and helping hands are focused on the City of Lamesa after a tornado and severe storm plowed through the area this past Thursday evening.
It is not lost on West Texas communities that a single storm during this time of the year can bring devastation many see on news broadcasts.
May 29, 2024, will continue to serve as a reminder to the people of Levelland and surrounding communities that nature can wreak havoc.
Around 1:30 a.m., the Levelland received large hail, heavy rain and winds reported to be between 100 and 120 miles per hour for over 10 minutes.
Homes, businesses and various structures suffered extreme damage with buildings collapsed, roofs destroyed, windows busted out, roadways and homes flooded, tree branches scattered, trees uprooted, fences knocked down, power poles broken and power lines down.
With roughly 60% of Hockley County residents without power and a majority residing within the city of Levelland many communities were left in the dark trying to wrap their minds around the extent of the damage.
Utility companies such as Atmos Energy, Xcel Energy and Lamb County Electric worked around the clock for several days.
Working quickly to establish an effective emergency response, public safety personnel began combing through city streets while trying to avoid debris and live power lines sprawled across the roadways.
Stuck in the dark, citizens of Levelland were left with fear of the unknown. However, by daybreak Levelland began to show their resolve.
Nine days into her mayoral term, Breann Buxkemper signed a disaster declaration by the early morning hours. Scared of what was to come, her nerves were put at ease when she walked into the Levelland Fire Station and witnessed all the individuals who were aware of their responsibilities and completing their tasks.
With her mayoral Facebook page still active at the time, Buxkemper utilized the platform to coordinate with citizens who were needing assistance. From there she would relay addresses to be placed on a whiteboard for crews to lend aid.
In a committed partnership, Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge signed a disaster declaration on behalf of the county; preparing and activating state and federal assistance resources which would be made accessible for residents, business and various entities. The County and City disaster declarations went directly to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk. This allowed the flow of critical resources to come from the federal and state level back down to the local level in times of crisis.
County Commissioners and their road crews alongside the city street and sanitation crews utilized their personnel and heavy equipment to manage the overwhelming task of debris clearing and management. The crews worked in public areas clearing debris and hauling from temporary debris sites.
As news of the storm had made its rounds, it was not long before Levelland’s neighbors began sending resources. Wanting to lend a hand, cities within Hockley County and around the region sent their personnel along with additional volunteers.
As there are mixed opinions when talking about FEMA, local public officials have been complimentary of FEMA’s response to this disaster. The organization put together a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the City Park and worked with as many residents as they could. In turn, FEMA returned a second time to provide additional resource assistance.
While plenty of helping hands made the journey to Levelland, the resolve of the Levelland residents showed as well. Eager to help pick up debris, cut up fallen trees, tarp roofs, offer water, food and clothes or be a shoulder to lean on all took place. Not just for the first day, but for the many long hard days that followed.
For those displaced, South Plains College in cooperation with the American Red Cross were able to provide temporary housing. With homes damaged to the extent that they are uninhabitable, SPC dorms provided some solace for those who were unsure what their future would look like moving forward.
Public officials within Levelland and Hockley County have continued to emphasize the strength and heart of the community for withstanding the near complete destruction of the city.
Entities such as Love Levelland and Hockley County Endowment facilitated financial assistance for disaster victims. While the destruction of property, homes and businesses can never be made whole for the citizens of Levelland, work has been done to help mend those wounds.
A year removed from the storm, plenty of citizens will share that they are still feeling the effects in some form. While thinking about the extent of the damage done, it is miraculous that there were no fatalities.
The community of Levelland is filled with loved ones and friends. A devastating storm showed the community of Levelland how important and loved each individual is when a time of need arises and how important it is to be there for neighbors no matter the distance.