By Julie Fisher, KTXT-FM News
LUBBOCK – High winds across the South Plains caused serious damage and injuries Wednesday afternoon.
Accidents on I-27 between New Deal and Abernathy resulted in the death of one man and injured 17 others. The deceased, who has not yet been identified, rear-ended a tractor-trailer and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Corporal John Gonzales with the Texas Department of Public Safety said there were 6 or 7 accidents on I-27 involving at least 23 vehicles total. Most of the crashes occurred in the southbound lane of the Interstate, causing pileups throughout the afternoon.
As of 5pm, the crash scenes had been cleared, but the roadway remained closed until 7pm due to low visibility.
Authorities working the scene said it was difficult to locate some crashes due to the low visibility.
Area farmers ran sand-fighters in an effort to reduce blowing dirt.
Fire alarms went off at the Preston Smith Library due to the amounts of dirt in the air, and several power outages were also reported across the city.
Winds of 50+ mph with gusts over 60mph were reported in Lubbock and several South Plains locations by the National Weather Service Wednesday.
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