DALLAS (AP) — A large balloon utilized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for surveillance near the Texas border became untethered and traveled approximately 600 miles (966 kilometers) northward before crashing due to strong winds that swept through the region, officials reported. The aerostat system disconnected from its tether during a severe wind event on South Padre Island on Monday afternoon, resulting in the loss of contact, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The balloon was subsequently found the following day in Hunt County, roughly 30 miles east of Dallas.
Clay Hinton, a witness, shared with WFAA television station that initially, the neighbors were puzzled by the object’s appearance. However, as officials began to arrive, it became apparent that the object was more than just a tarp. A storm system passing through the Dallas area brought wind gusts exceeding 75 mph (120 kph) early Tuesday, while the wind speeds in South Padre Island and the vicinity on Monday afternoon ranged from approximately 20 mph (32 kph) to 30 mph (48 kph), as stated by National Weather Service officials.
According to a fact sheet from Customs and Border Protection, the Tethered Aerostat Radar System is employed for detecting low-altitude aircraft. The aerostat comprises an upper chamber filled with helium and a lower pressurized air compartment.
Customs and Border Protection has asserted that it will collaborate with federal, state, and local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
