HOLLY, Colo.-
A tornado up to 600-foot wide touched down in this small town in southeastern Colorado, damaging homes and injuring at least two people, authorities said.
The twister touchdown south of town and skimmed a mile to a 1 1/2 miles north through town, barely missing the Main Street business district, but knocking down power lines and causing several gas leaks, said Chris Sorensen, a spokesman for Prowers County emergency management.
Initial reports said the tornado touched down on Main Street, about a block south of U.S. 50 that runs through town, which is about 235 miles southeast of Denver.
Several homes north of town suffered extensive damage. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.
A tornado warning for parts of Prowers County had been issued by the National Weather Service and it appeared people had taken shelter.
“Residents pay attention to those things and being in a rural area we’re familiar with what can happen,” said Sorensen, who lives on the plains in nearby Kiowa County. “And we always watch the sky.”
Connie Vocke however told Colorado Springs station KRDO-TV she was playing bridge and had no idea what was coming.
“We didn’t see anything, it was dark by the time it hit,” Vocke told the station. “We just heard it and it was just like a big train coming.
“We’re very lucky we’re alive… From my house west it got people’s homes, well everything, it got everything,” she told the station. “(It’s) complete chaos. Huge trees laying on everywhere, power lines are everywhere, limbs are everywhere.”
Two people were transported to hospitals with injuries, Prowers County Undersheriff Ron Trowbridge said through Sorensen, without elaborating.
U.S. 50 was temporarily closed.
