Tornado outbreak causes widespread damage in Colorado and Kansas

At least 29 tornadoes were reported across five states on Sunday, causing widespread damage in Colorado and Kansas. According to preliminary data, at least 16 tornadoes touched down in Kansas, 4 in Colorado, 4 in Oklahoma and Nebraska combined, and 1 in Texas.

Severe damage was reported in the community of Grinnell in Gove County, Kansas. Visuals of the storm’s aftermath showed destruction and damage to several structures, including homes and outbuildings.

The tornado blew the roof off the Catholic Church in Grinnell. Meanwhile, downed power lines caused closures on I-70, eastbound from Colby to Grinnell and westbound from Hays to Grinnell.

Multiple homes on the outskirts of Plevna were completely destroyed by a tornado. Meanwhile, a possible tornado derailed train cars east of Greensburg off Highway 400.

Some storm chasers and meteorologists suggested that the tornado near Greensburg may have reached EF-5 intensity, though this assessment has not yet been confirmed by the National Weather Service.

Dozens of homes were damaged in Colorado as tornadoes moved through parts of the state. Elbert County officials reported that at least 19 homes were damaged or destroyed near the town of Elizabeth.

In Adams County, damage was reported near two locations: North Harback Road and East 38^th Avenue, and near East 64^th Avenue and Highway 79.

According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, 17 homes or structures were damaged or destroyed. Power remained out in the area, with no estimated time of restoration.

According to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, a tornado touched down at least three times near the town of Bennett. A Code Red Alert was issued to residents.

Nearly 900 flights were delayed and at least 13 were cancelled at Denver International Airport through Sunday due to the storms.

While the storm threat has ended for most of the affected areas, and rescue recovery operations continue, the full aftermath is yet to be assessed.

The storms came right after tornadoes ripped through the Midwest on Friday night, spawning multiple tornadoes, claiming over two dozen lives.

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Rishav Kothari

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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