West Texas faces outages, damage following tornadoes, severe weather

The National Weather Service in Lubbock has placed parts of eastern New Mexico and West Texas under a tornado watch through Thursday night.

According to NWS Lubbock , the threat level for tornadoes in the area is likely, with storms producing softball-sized hail and 80 mph wind gusts.

Others are reading: How to stay safe during tornado watches, warnings in Texas? Here's what to know

With 859,430 individuals and 44 hospitals within the tornado watch area, here's what you need to know to stay safe.

Severe storms bring tornados, flooding, power outages to Lubbock and West Texas, eastern NM

Updated: 10:40 p.m. The National Weather Service reported multiple tornadoes, flooding and wind damage following a line of severe storms that spanned from eastern New Mexico to the South Plains. Much of the storm damage being reported was in Hockley and Lubbock counties.

Preliminary storm damage reports from the NWS in Lubbock indicated there were numerous reports showing possible tornado or high-wind damage in western Lubbock County and Hockley County. Twin tornadoes were reported about 7:30 p.m. Thursday near Reese Center. The NWS received reports of at least one injury in the area and numerous reports of property damage, including snapped utility poles. Another tornado report came in just before that in north Hockley County, where a tractor-trailer was reportedly overturned due to a tornado along U.S. 385 north of Levelland.

Lubbock, Hockley counties under tornado warning

UPDATE 9:36 p.m.:Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish told the Avalanche-Journal that high winds damaged the West Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department's headquarters during the storm.

Parrish also said WCVFD sent crews to help with search and rescue efforts in Hockley County following the storm.

UPDATE 9:25 p.m.:Levelland-Hockley County Emergency Management Coordinator Cole Kirkland has confirmed that one person was injured in a tornado and has been transported to the hospital. As of 9:30 p.m. Thursday, there were no fatalities.

Kirkland also said that two structures were directly hit by a tornado in Hockley County, with possibly more residences indirectly damaged by the tornado, hail and high winds.

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.:   Levelland officials are calling for citizens to start conserving water immediately due to damage to a substation.

UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Thousands are left without power in West Texas and Lubbock as Xcel Energy and Lubbock Power & Light work to restore customers' power.

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.:The National Wearther Service has cancelled all tornado warnings in Lubbock County and other West Texas counties.

UPDATE: 8:25 p.m.:A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL LUBBOCK COUNTY... At 825 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Downtown Lubbock, or 4 miles northeast of Lubbock, moving southeast at 10 mph. The wind gusted to 71 mph at All Saints West Texas Mesonet Station at 816PM. HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near... Lubbock around 830 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include New Deal and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

UPDATE 8:17 p.m.:A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT FOR WESTERN LUBBOCK AND EAST CENTRAL HOCKLEY COUNTIES... At 812 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Texas Tech University, or over Lubbock, moving east at 25 mph. There are indications of wind driven large hail near Wolfforth. HAZARD...Tornado and softball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near... Lubbock and Downtown Lubbock around 820 PM CDT. Lubbock International Airport around 825 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.:The Liberty High School gymnasiums/storm shelters (4530 Woodrow Road) are open for residents seeking shelter. Please enter through Doors 7 and 8 on the west side of the building, according to LCISD .

UPDATE 7:54 p.m:A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT FOR WESTERN LUBBOCK AND EAST CENTRAL HOCKLEY COUNTIES... At 753 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Reese Center, or 6 miles west of Lubbock, moving southeast at 45 mph. The West Texas Mesonet Station at Smyer gusted to 109 mph at 746PM. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornado will be near... Lubbock and Lubbock South Plains Mall around 800 PM CDT. Woodrow around 805 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

UPDATE: 7:40 p.m.:The National Weather Service in Lubbock Texas has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Western Lubbock County in northwestern Texas... East central Hockley County in northwestern Texas... * Until 845 PM CDT. * At 738 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located over Reese Center, or 11 miles west of Lubbock, moving southeast at 10 mph. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW! HAZARD...Damaging tornado. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible. * The tornado will be near... Lubbock and Reese Center around 745 PM CDT. Wolfforth around 755 PM CDT. Lubbock South Plains Mall around 815 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.:A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL LUBBOCK AND NORTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTIES... At 724 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located near Reese Center, or 12 miles west of Lubbock, moving east at 10 mph. A pair of tornadoes was observed at 722 PM near Reese Center. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornado will be near... Lubbock and Reese Center around 730 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

UPDATED 7:25 p.m.:A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR CENTRAL LUBBOCK AND NORTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTIES... At 721 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 4 miles northwest of Reese Center, or 13 miles west of Lubbock, moving east at 15 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornado will be near... Lubbock and Reese Center around 725 PM CDT. Shallowater around 745 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

UPDATED 7:04 p.m.: A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT FOR WESTERN LUBBOCK AND NORTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTIES... At 700 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 8 miles southeast of Whitharral, or 11 miles northeast of Levelland, moving east at 30 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and golf ball size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near... Reese Center around 710 PM CDT. Lubbock and Shallowater around 720 PM CDT. Texas Tech University around 735 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Smyer, New Deal, and Lubbock Science Spectrum. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Tornado warning issued for Cochran, Hockley counties in West Texas

Updated at 6:04 p.m.:At 600 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 4 miles southwest of Pep, or 8 miles east of Morton, moving west at 30 mph. This is a new circulation which has developed east of the decaying circulation NNE of Morton. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and three inch hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern Cochran and northwestern Hockley Counties. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris.

Updated: 5:40 p.m.: The National Weather Service in Lubbock Texas has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Northeastern Cochran County in northwestern Texas... Northwestern Hockley County in northwestern Texas... * Until 630 PM CDT. * At 537 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located 4 miles northwest of Morton, moving east at 30 mph. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW! HAZARD...Damaging tornado. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible. * The tornado will be near... Morton around 545 PM CDT.

Updated at 5:26 p.m.:The NWS in Lubbock issued a tornado warning for portions of Bailey and Cochran counties until 5:45 p.m. as a spotter-confirmed tornado was seen about 5:13 p.m. about 4 miles southwest of Maple - or 12 miles northwest of Morton - moving east at 20 mph. The storm features a potentially damaging tornado and three-inch hail. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornado will be near Maple around 5:20 p.m.

What counties in Texas, New Mexico are under the tornado watch?

According to NWS Lubbock, Texashas 32 counties under a tornado watch set to expire at 10 p.m. as on 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Those counties include: Andrews, Bailey, Borden, Briscoe, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Cottle, Crosby, Dawson, Dickens, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Hale, Hall, Hockley, Howard, Kent, King, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Mitchell, Motley, Parmer, Scurry, Stonewall, Swisher, Terry and Yoakum.

New Mexicohas the following counties under the same tornado watch: Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea and Roosevelt.

What to do in a tornado watch?

According to the Lubbock NWS, a tornado watch is when conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. This is when individuals should start preparing to seek shelter.

Things to include in your shelter should include:

• Water and food.

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.

• Flashlight.

• First aid kit.

• Extra batteries.

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Individuals can find more resources at  ready.gov/make-a-plan  when it comes to creating a plan for themselves and their families.

MAP: Texas Tornado watches and warnings

Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: West Texas, New Mexico counties placed under Lubbock NWS tornado watch