Scattered thunderstorms developed over the western Texas Panhandle and the eastern plains of New Mexico during the late afternoon hours of the 17th. These storms evolved into a large convective complex and propagated southward over the western South Plains during the evening hours. An embedded high-precipitation supercell developed within the complex and tracked over portions of Parmer, Bailey, and Cochran Counties. This storm was accompanied by large hail and a broad swath of extreme winds. Damage to cotton crops and utilities was widespread, with at least 400 electrical poles downed by the winds. The most significant structural damage occurred in Morton (Cochran County), where the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet recorded a peak gust of 93 mph and a number of homes and businesses sustained heavy damage. In addition, a band of severe winds developed in the wake of the departing convection as pressure gradients increased dramatically well behind the storms. These high winds characterized by gusts up to 70 mph resulted in tree, utility, and minor damages in Yoakum County. No injuries were reported. Total economical losses were estimated to exceed $5.75 million, and some county-level authorities applied for state disaster declarations.

Hail in PARMER, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 18:14:00 to 17-JUL-09 18:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAZBUDDIE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported golfball size hail in Lazbuddie. Local newspaper articles reported that the hail resulted in significant losses to cotton crops in the immediate Lazbuddie area.

Thunderstorm Wind in TERRY, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 21:05:00 to 17-JUL-09 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BROWNFIELD
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site south of Brownfield recorded a severe thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph shortly after 21:00 CST. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 20:10:00 to 17-JUL-09 20:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: DENVER CITY
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Severe thunderstorms moved southward out of Cochran County and impacted parts of Yoakum County. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet initially recorded a severe gust of 60 mph near Plains at 20:10 CST. A peak gust of 66 mph was measured there at 20:25 CST. An additional severe thunderstorm gust of 58 mph was measured by the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Denver City just before 21:00 CST. No damage was reported.

Hail in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 19:10:00 to 17-JUL-09 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ENOCHS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

A post storm survey by Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet meteorologists revealed that hail up to the size of nickels accompanied extreme thunderstorm winds in the Enochs vicinity. The wind-blown hail contributed to significant cotton losses.

Thunderstorm Wind in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 18:45:00 to 17-JUL-09 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEEDMORE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The convective complex and embedded high-precipitation supercell that impacted parts of Parmer County subsequently moved southward over Bailey County. A post storm survey by Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet meteorologists revealed a swath of intense wind damage from between Needmore and Baileyboro southward to Enochs. At least 100 utility poles were blown down, some broken near ground-level, and several center irrigation pivots were destroyed. Minor roof damage was noted to several homes in Enochs. The winds were occasionally accompanied with nickel size hail in the Enochs vicinity. Wind-driven hail contributed to significant cotton losses. Wind speeds were estimated to be near 80 mph and event times were estimated based on radar data.

High Wind in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 21:50:00 to 17-JUL-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Severe winds developed over portions of southern Yoakum County as pressure gradients increased dramatically in the wake of a departing convective complex around 22:00 CST on the 17th. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Denver City recorded 64 mph and 70 mph gusts between 21:50 CST and 22:00 CST. Local newspaper reports indicated that an old oak tree at Yoakum County Park was split by the winds, and that at least six power lines were downed. A local utility company reported power outages to twelve households. No injuries were reported.

Hail in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 19:20:00 to 17-JUL-09 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

Post storm surveys by Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet meteorologists revealed that nickel size hail accompanied extreme thunderstorm winds in the Morton vicinity. The wind-driven hail contributed to significant cotton losses.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 20:40:00 to 17-JUL-09 20:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 19:15:00 to 17-JUL-09 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: MORTON
Magnitude: 81.00 MG
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

The high-precipitation supercell that impacted Parmer and Bailey Counties continued southward over Cochran County during the 19:00 CST hour of the 17th. A swath of very intense damaging winds continued from southern Bailey County across northeastern Cochran County. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Morton initially recorded a gust of 58 mph at 19:15 CST. A subsequent gust of 77 mph was recorded at 19:20 CST. By 19:25 CST, however, a peak gust of 93 mph was measured by the Morton mesonet site. Damage was reported to be extensive in the Morton area. The damage swath additionally extended southward to Whiteface, where by 19:55 CST a 64 mph gust was measured at the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site south of Whiteface. Up to 300 utility poles were blown down by the winds across the eastern half of the county, and tree damage was reported to be extensive. At least two aged structures were severely damaged or destroyed by the winds in Morton, as well as a number of light weight structures such as carports and barns. The winds were occasionally accompanied by large hail up to the size of nickels, and this contributed to large agricultural losses.

Thunderstorm Wind in PARMER, TEXAS
From 17-JUL-09 17:15:00 to 17-JUL-09 17:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRIONA
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A complex of severe thunderstorms, which included an embedded high-precipitation supercell, were accompanied by damaging winds over parts of Parmer County during the 17:00 CST hour of the 17th. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Friona initially recorded a 71 mph wind gust at 17:15 CST. By 17:57 CST, a 79 mph gust was measured by the KVII-TV Schoolnet site in Lazbuddie. Local newspaper reports indicate that the winds were accompanied by a blinding dust storm. A number of utility poles were downed and power outages were reported. Damages also were reported to several center pivot irrigation systems. No injuries were reported.