Storms bring heavy rain, strong winds and possible tornado near Anton

Officials in Hockley County and the National Weather Service in Lubbock are investigating a possible tornado afters significant damage was reported during strong thunderstorms Tuesday evening near Anton.

The Weather Service confirmed it is looking into a potential tornado near Anton after reports of damage to a house and debris in powerlines.

The Hockley County Sheriff’s Office posted a message to its Facebook account during the overnight hours, warning drivers to avoid FM 597 between FM 168 and FM 2130 east of Anton – which was briefly closed – due to debris, power lines on the roadway, and damage related to the storm.

The line of storms that moved through the region Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning brought wind gusts in the upward of 70 mph and brief but heavy downpours of rain. Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport saw just over 1 inch of rainfall Tuesday through early Wednesday morning, with most of that falling after 10 p.m.

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