Icy Weather Already Causing Problems in Lubbock with Street Closures
Update #2: LPD added new closures Monday morning in a notification sent just before 9 a.m. The following roads remain closed:
- 9th Street and Marsha Sharp Freeway
- Marsha Sharp Freeway and West Loop 289 flyover
- South Loop 289 and I-27 flyover
- Spur 327 at Milwaukee Ave.
Update #1: According to the Lubbock Police Department (via Everything Lubbock), there were 30 accidents as of 7:30 a.m. Monday morning. The majority of them occurred along the I-27 from the South Loop up to the North Loop, Everything Lubbock reports.
Original story: Not a great way to start the week, as the season's first blast of winter weather is here. Monday morning (October 26th), Lubbock police were already reporting over 25 accidents on city streets and highways before 7:30 a.m.
In addition, Lubbock Police at 7:30 a.m. reported the following street closures: 19th Street and the Marsha Sharp Freeway (US 62/82), the Marsha Sharp Freeway and West Loop 289 flyover, the South Loop 289 and I-27 flyover, and Spur 327 at Milwaukee Ave. LPD also reminds motorists to avoid overpasses when possible and to drive slowly.
A reminder that temperatures in Lubbock and the surrounding area won't get above freezing again until Wednesday afternoon (October 28th). The freezing rain and wintry mix will be present through at least Wednesday at 1 p.m., as a Winter Storm Warning starts Monday night at 7 p.m. for Lubbock and the South Plains.
If you do have to drive over the next few days, you're urged to give yourself plenty of time and to reduce your speed. A reminder that if you're leaving Lubbock, you get can information concerning area highways through TxDOT at DriveTexas.org or by calling 1-800-452-9292.
Also, a Hard Freeze Warning has been issued for Gaines, Dawson, Borden and Scurry counties, plus further south into the Permian Basin and Lea County, New Mexico. The Hard Freeze Warning is in effect from Monday at 7 p.m. until Tuesday at 10 a.m. Low temps in counties for the Hard Freeze Warning are expected to get down to 23 degrees.