Strong Wind in Texas Overturns a Truck
Highways can be unpredictable, especially when the weather decides to show its character. While most drivers worry about traffic or slippery surfaces, strong wind rarely tops the list of road hazards. However, this is exactly what the driver of a tractor-trailer encountered today near Dumas, Texas. Video footage captured the moments when a gust of wind overturned the trailer, followed by the tractor itself.
According to the Moore County Sheriff, the semi-trailer overturned on the northbound lanes of US-87/287 near Dumas. This accident completely blocked the highway for several hours, so law enforcement redirected traffic west along Texas Highway 354 while crews cleared the debris.
Extreme Weather Conditions
The weather conditions during the incident were extreme even by Texas Panhandle standards. The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Moore County and surrounding areas. Sustained wind speeds were 35–45 mph (56–72 km/h), with gusts reportedly reaching 70 mph (113 km/h).
Captured this semi flipping with @BlakeBrownWx south of Dumas, TX#txwx pic.twitter.com/RdXINVRtm4 — Jordan Hall (@JordanHallWX) February 17, 2026
The Moore County Sheriff’s Office urged drivers with empty trailers to refrain from traveling until the wind subsides.
Accident Details on Video
Video from the scene shows the details of the accident. Initially, the truck bounces lightly off the road, after which the trailer lifts into the air. It is unclear whether the driver attempted to do anything with the steering. It does not appear he tried to counter-steer to straighten the vehicle. Regardless of his actions, the trailer and its momentum proved sufficient to roll the tractor onto the passenger side.
It is unknown how the people in the cab are feeling, but the video shows that at least two of them exited the truck through the driver’s side window. Notably, the Sheriff’s Office initially indicated that this accident was not the only one of the day involving an overturned commercial vehicle.
Other Wind-Related Incidents
At least one storm chaser documented a separate incident involving a regular pickup truck towing a trailer. Although that vehicle did not overturn, the wind appears to have caused it to jackknife on the road.
First bad Jack knife with injuries to the driver’s face here on highway 87 south of Dumas Texas do to losing control in high winds @NWSAmarillo #txwx #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/OIX6VSWYqF — The Storm Chasing Guy (@JonTheStormGuy) February 17, 2026
Such cases are a reminder of how important it is to heed weather warnings, especially for large and empty vehicles with high wind resistance. Regions prone to strong winds often face such problems, and local authorities regularly issue advisories for drivers. Road safety depends not only on driving skill but also on a cautious attitude towards the forces of nature, which can suddenly change the situation. A delay on the road waiting for the weather to improve may turn out to be a much lesser inconvenience than the consequences of an accident.