It has been two years since, since 100 to 120 mph straight-line winds swept through the city of Levelland, leaving behind extensive damage to homes and businesses and injuring eight people.
According to the National Weather Service, the May 29, 2024 storm first appeared in the form of a long-lived supercell thunderstorm near Tucumcari, New Mexico that Tuesday, before proceeding south and southeast overnight.
Developing into a bow echo accompanied by destructive winds, winddriven hail, and torrential rain, the storm struck Levelland at 1:30 AM. Here, the most extensive wind damage occurred on the north and east sides of town, in addition to flood damage because of broken windows and damaged roofs. Eight individuals received minor injuries from broken glass.
A survey team observed that many utility poles, trees, and center pivots had been toppled northwest of Levelland. Damage within the city was concentrated in and around Kauffman Park, where winds caused partial failures to some roofs and destroyed several wooden outbuildings. Uprooted trees caused additional damage.
Penny Newman cotton gin on the east side of Levelland was fully destroyed by winds estimated to reach 110 mph.
There were multiple power outages because of damaged utility poles, which impacted around 7000 people, and resulted in the temporary closure of four Covenant Hospital clinics and the cancellation of all procedures. The emergency department was able to remain operational. The Levelland Police Department also reported “massive gas leaks” in Kaufman, Alamo, and Hicks Street neighborhoods.
Levelland and Hockley County Emergency Management quickly responded, first asking residents to stay in their homes and off the roads as emergency crews worked to respond to the emergency.
Cole Kirkland, Levelland’s Emergency Management Coordinator, led cleanup and community aid efforts. He ensured that all city departments were working efficiently to respond to the disaster and helped secure an ample number of volunteers to aid the Levelland Police and Fire Departments with cleanup efforts.
Per previous interview, Kirkland stated that there had “been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community and the region.”
Residents affected by the damage were provided with temporary shelter, food, and aid in securing their homes from further damage through the installation of roof tarps and the boarding up of blown-out windows. The Red Cross and Salvation Army worked with the city to get community members the aid they needed, while the City of Levelland urged residents who had property damage to take a damage survey at damage.tdem.texas.gov, in the hopes of securing state and federal disaster aid.
Though two years have passed since this disaster struck the city of Levelland, it lives on in many people’s memories as both a tragedy and a reminder of the Hockley County community’s ability to come together in times of need.
As per a previous interview with former Levelland Police Chief Albert Garcia, the community’s response to the disaster “should really encourage the citizens of Levelland and Hockley County to know what kind of great people we have here in Levelland.”
“Moving forward, I know that we have boots on the ground that are going to do a phenomenal job” and that there were great efforts across the board.”