Storms Bring Tornadoes, Hail to Southern Colorado
While accumulating snow has ended for Colorado Springs and Pueblo, snow (heavy at times) will continue north and northeast of Colorado Springs. A strong north wind will also create areas of blowing and drifting snow along with reduced visibility in these areas A BLIZZARD WARNING remains in effect through tonight for Northern El Paso County northward to the Denver Metro Area. Travel is NOT advised in this area.
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 10:20 AM Aug 19, 2009
Storms Bring Tornadoes, Hail to Southern Colorado
Everything from tornadoes to large hail were reported on a stormy Tuesday in Southern Colorado.
Posted: 2:39 PM Aug 18, 2009
Reporter: Branden Borremans, Lauri Martin
Email Address: weather@kktv.com
width:200 and height: 150 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 150
Font Size:

A tornado touched down in eastern Park and Teller counties Tuesday afternoon, causing damage near 11 Mile Reservoir and Lake George.

A park ranger at 11 Mile Reservoir reported a tornado just east of the park at 1:16pm. The Park County Undersheriff says there are no injuries to report.

11 News visited Vivian Linville's weekend home. The tornado ripped through her three sheds and her garage. All her belongings were thrown across her property. "I'm so bewildered about what happened," says Linville.

The tornado went on to do more damage near Lake George, where several trees were uprooted in the 11 Mile Subdivision. "It was like a train," says Raymond Strother about the sound of the tornado. "Look at the trees. The tornado ripped them up and broke them in half like a toothpick." The tornado also reportedly threw a trailer uphil and levelled a concession stand, tossing its roof fifty feet.

11 News viewers saw the tornado touch down from their homes in Florissant Heights area in Florissant and the Highland Lakes area in Divide. "It was just a monster. It was a huge funnel cloud. You could see it touch the ground. It was unbelievable," says Dave Cruz. He captured the tornado on home video.

This wasn't the only tornado spotted in Southern Colorado on Tuesday. There were multiple reports of funnel clouds southeast of Walsenburg. A spotter also reported a tornado 11 miles southeast of Walsenburg with debris visible.

Other areas were peppered with penny to quarter-size hail as storms raced across the I-25 corridor. Even ping pong ball -size hail was reported seven miles south of Pueblo.

There are no estimates of damages or reports of injures.


Latest Comments

Posted by: CG Location: Park and Teller Counties on Sep 1, 2009 at 01:51 PM

Would have to respectfully disagree with one comment about the Lake George funnel/tornado. Evidence exists all over that ground level vortices were present. I have footage of large pine trees downed facing opposite directions and more than foot thick split pine trees facing different ways along the funnel path in a north easterly path, including flattened structures etc., as well. Just like the 11 Mile park tornado, where I have footage of ground vortices in real time. Good comments though
Posted by: George Location: Monument on Aug 22, 2009 at 09:02 PM

I was parked at the 11 Mile Marina and watched the tornado form. It was scary and cool. Saw the damage and have pics. Loaned the ranger my tow rope to pull a tree out of the road. It was AWESOME!
Posted by: YANG Location: TIGERS HOUSE on Aug 19, 2009 at 12:11 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS RALPH--WHO CARES!!!
KKTV.com Features

KKTV and our Partners are proud to make Moms life easier…click here for more information

Click here for more information from our local health care specialists.

Do you have a story idea? Want to report breaking news? Call our newsroom at (719) 578-0000 or e-mail News@kktv.com.

Click Here to have KKTV come to your school!

Watch full episodes of your favorite CBS shows right here on KKTV.com.
Latest Blogs
  • Make a quick $250, hardly! (Betty Sexton)
    Thanks to Christine for telling me about this scam. She received a check in the mail from a group using the name American Consumer Opinion. It wasn't the legitimate Texas research company... just a crook looking to rip her off!
  • Treat It Like Thanksgiving - (Stacia Naquin)
    You don't have to sit on the sidelines at that Super Bowl party just because you vowed to make 2012 a healthier year. Here's some advice to keep yourself on track, after indulging during the season's biggest game!
  • "Be Prepared" is Good Motto for Storm Coverage
    Over in the KKTV 11 Weather Center, the radar's showing the snow moving in. Chief Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says this storm has the potential to bring the most snow we've seen in 5 and 1/2 years, so it is "all hands on deck" and "batten down the hatches", as the newsroom makes its own preparations for this Groundhog Day Storm.
  • Workout In The Sand - (Stacia Naquin)
    It's no day at the beach! But you'll be in the sand. Here's what a total-body workout looks like when you go barefoot and work on your fitness in a whole new way!
  • Crooks Say Donald Trump and Walmart are their Partners! (Betty Sexton)
    Who wouldn't want to claim a prize if Donald Trump and Walmart were involved?