Reports: Russian hackers caused Muleshoe water tank to overflow

A report from CNN on Wednesday said Muleshoe, Lockey and Hale Center saw suspicious activity from Russian hackers, citing experts from US cybersecurity firm Mandiant.

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Muleshoe City Manager Robert Sanchez on Wednesday told EverythingLubbock.com there was no danger to the public after a cyberattack that caused a water tank to overflow.

This came after a report from CNN said Muleshoe, Lockney and Hale Center saw suspicious activity from Russian hackers, citing experts from US cybersecurity firm Mandiant. According to the report, a hacking group with ties to the Russian government was accused of a cyberattack in Bailey County that made the Muleshoe water tank overflow in January.

The report said Lockney and Hale Center also had cyberattack attempts. Officials in Lockney detected "suspicious activity" on a system that helps oversee water plants, the report said. The report also stated in Hale Center, attackers were unsuccessful with an attempt at breaking into the towns firewall. The hackers responsible for those attempts were not publicly identified.

The report said the FBI is investigating. EverythingLubbock.com reached out to officials for additional information.

Robert Sanchez, City Manager for the City of Muleshoe, released the following statement:

On January 18th, 2024, the City of Muleshoe discovered that the water system’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System was compromised through a third-party vendor’s remote log-in system. The incident was quickly addressed and resolved.  The city’s water disinfectant system was not affected, and the public water system nor the public was in any danger. The proper authorities continue to investigate this matter, and the City is cooperating with those investigations.