In The News
Colorado twister upends 2 tractor-trailers; no injuries reported
GILCREST, Colo. — A tornado touched down Thursday near Gilcrest, Colo., and at least two 18-wheelers reportedly were overturned near the city of Windsor, according to reports from Weld County authorities.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of Weld and Larimer counties, and residents were urged to seek shelter.
An employee of the city of Windsor reported damage to buildings, downed trees and power outages.
"It's disastrous here," said Larry Bases, a television photojournalist, who saw a great deal of damage after the storm passed near Gilcrest. He was at U.S. Highway 85 and Weld County Road 42.
Bases said there was a big rig on its side on Highway 85. He said the highway was closed and there were numerous emergency vehicles responding to the scene. He said he saw a pickup truck that appeared to be picked up off of the ground and dropped. He reported seeing a house with roof damage and lots of debris.
Nathan Watson was driving a big rig that got caught in the tornado. He said he stopped after encountering some heavy hail. He got out, and saw the tornado pick up his truck, and lay it down on its side.
Watson said his dog jumped into the sleeper part of the truck just as the tornado hit. He said he was trying to coax her out, but that she was still too scared to come out.
The storm cell bearing the twister was moving northwest. Strong winds gusting up to 70 miles an hour and numerous lightning strikes accompanied the storm.
Powerful thunderstorms reportedly knocked down power lines in Morgan County in northeastern Colorado