The television tower used by Nexstar Media Group’s KGBT in Texas was decommissioned last Friday. Dozens of homes were evacuated and classes were canceled at a nearby school after a guy wire broke, reported TheDesk.Net.
The 1,337-foot tower is used by Harlington-based KGBT-TV, serving Brownsville, TX. The structure was erected in nearby La Feria. During a routine inspection, engineers noticed one of the 24 guy wires had snapped, putting the tower at “slight” risk of collapse, according to Nexstar.
Nexstar is a partner in ownership of the tower, according to KVEO-TV, which has drone footage of the decommissioned tower. The broadcaster dispatched engineers to assist with the inspection process, and enlisted an independent tower construction and repair company. “In the event of a critical problem, the tower is designed to collapse in a downward spiral limited to a 150-yard radius of the center,” Nexstar said in a statement to local media, according to KVEO.
As a precaution, residents in nearby homes were encouraged to leave while engineers worked to decommission the tower. Nexstar arranged for about 20 households to spend two nights at a local motel. The city of La Feria will cover their bills, noted TheDesk.Net.
Engineers brought the tower down in sections. There was no threat to the public, and no damage to nearby homes, according to the account.
Officials at the La Feria Independent School District said on Thursday classes at the David G. Sanchez Elementary School would be canceled due to the tower’s risk of collapse. They resumed yesterday.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
Reader Interactions