Why can't the weather stay normal in Amarillo.... just for one day?

Right when it seems like the weather is beginning to let up just a little bit from the full swing of winter that Amarillo received during the last couple of months we get absolutely bamboozled with a week filled with wind and dust.

And as you can tell from some of the clips above this is not just your run-of-the-mill twenty to thirty miles per hour wind but a full-on assault by the winds of Amarillo that have reached a peak of 54 miles per hour.

The winds in Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle have gotten so bad that even the Texas Department of Transportation has had to issue red flag warnings to drivers in and passing through Amarillo.

With skies blanketed in brown by the dirt being blown and loose objects around town being thrown around, it makes you wonder "How is this compared to The Dust Bowl of the 1930s"?

For any of you who don't know what The Dust Bowl is, it was a tragic and catastrophic event that happened in the Great Plains region of the United States during the 1930s. Caused by a combination of factors such as drought, unsustainable farming methods, and strong winds the topsoil surrounding many towns and cities in the Great Plains, including Amarillo was pummeled with dust.

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At times the dust blowing around became so bad that the entire sun would be blocked out, leaving those inside the dust storm in complete darkness.

 

 

At this time winds in the were estimated to of reached a speed of sixty miles per hour, meaning that the winds experienced by the Panhandle at that time were not that far off from what we are experiencing now. Although the winds we are experiencing are similar in terms of pure wind speed, thankfully the bad soil conditions and economic hardships that topped off the high windspeeds are not currently present.

So although the wind we are experiencing is pretty crazy, always remember that the Panhandle experienced worse.

Untouched by Time: The Historic Homes of Polk Street Then & Now

You know you've entered Amarillo's historic district once you hit the red brick roads of Center City. A unique reflection of past and present, Amarillo's historic homes seem to pose pristinely against the curb.

These large, thoughtfully designed historic homes are part of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Amarillo. But most residents will agree that nothing quite tops the staggering royal beauty of the grand homes of Polk Street. Built by Amarillo's founding fathers, the looming estates of South Polk are a sight to behold.

Check out these stunning comparison photos that show how these gorgeous structures have remained nearly untouched by time.

Look at How Amarillo's Old Route 66 Motels Looked Then & Now

The heyday of the Mother Road may be long gone, but would you believe that there's still plenty of the old motels where many a weary American family rested their heads during their interstate travels?

You won't believe some of these are still standing, much less still alive and (wait for it..) kickin'!

Downtown Amarillo Over The Years

Downtown Amarillo has seen an incredible metamorphosis. Take a look at the photos below to see just how much it's changed--you won't believe the difference.

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