Dateline: July 14, 2005

High winds batter residents of Lelia Lake

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clean up workers with the Texas Department of Transportation continued clearing debris Tuesday after strong, straight-line winds broke several tree limbs near Lelia Lake on Monday night.

The Donley County Sheriff’s Department said it had reports of several trees blown down and some minor damage done by a storm that hit the Lelia Lake area about eight o’clock.

The northbound lanes of US 287 were closed for 30 to 45 minutes due to tree limbs on the road, and TxDOT spokeswoman Barbara Seal said the department’s Donley County Maintenance crew was on the scene from about 8:30 p.m. Monday to midnight.

Seal said straight-line winds hit 80 to 90 miles per hour and some broken trees were three feet in diameter.

Limbs were removed from FM 1755, FM 1754, and FM 1260; and TxDOT also reported several broken telephone and electrical poles. TxDOT crews will likely have to spend more days this week cleaning up the debris.

One home reported a glass door being broken, and a downed power line caused a brief electrical fire due to the storm, the sheriff’s department said.

The Donley County Gin did not sustain any major damage although it seemed to be in the path of storm’s force.

Perhaps the most damage was down about a mile south of Lelia Lake at a house owned and being remodeled by Mac Stavenhagen. The branches of several large elm trees there were snapped and tossed about the property. The roof of the house sustained minor damage, and the house’s electrical service was knocked down.

One resident reported receiving damage to the roof of a barn, which was in the area.

TxDOT said only about one inch of rain was received with the storm. No injuries were reported.