'There really isn't much protection': Concertgoer describes intense hail storm at Red Rocks

Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
Updated ·4 min read
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Concertgoers attending a Louis Tomlinson concert Wednesday night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre were hoping to see live music. Instead, they were hit by severe weather, golf ball-sized hail and a canceled show.

Severe storms moved through the Denver area Wednesday night, with the National Weather Service office in Boulder warning of "golf ball-sized hail or larger" near Red Rocks. People were urged to take cover from the storm. Red Rocks initially told fans the concert was under a weather delay, then officially postponed the show.

Attendee Nicole Criner described the storm as an "extreme downpour" that seemingly came within minutes.

Videos from the world famous concert venue shows heavy rain and hail covering the amphitheater, which hit cars and injured some concertgoers. The West Metro Fire Rescue in Lakewood, Colorado said seven people were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, and a total of 80 to 90 people were treated at the scene for injuries including cuts and broken bones.

West Metro Fire Rescue said seven people were transported to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries after hail fell on Red Rocks Amphitheater Wednesday night.
West Metro Fire Rescue said seven people were transported to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries after hail fell on Red Rocks Amphitheater Wednesday night.

Tomlinson, a former member of the boy band One Direction, tweeted he was "devastated" about the show, and hoped fans were alright.

'There really isn't much protection': One concertgoer's experience with hail at the Red Rocks

The show started pretty normally, although there were a few clouds in the sky through the opening act, Criner said. Between the first and second act, there was rain and lightning, and Red Rocks officials informed the crowd of the first delay of the evening.

Criner, 28, attended the concert with her sister, dad and his girlfriend.

After the first delay, she said they were told the concert would resume, so people went back to their seats. Eventually, Criner said there was an official announcement that the venue highly recommended people to take shelter in their cars.

From there, she said it began to hail, first smaller pieces but an "extreme downpour" within five minutes, with pieces up to the size of golf balls. She and her sister found a sign and took cover under it.

"There really isn't much protection once you get out (to Red Rocks)," Criner said.

Her glasses were swept away in the downpour, and she and her sister took refuge in a car that was passing by, offering those still outside shelter.

Criner said her dad had a rental car, and although the windshield didn't crack, there was damage to the front and back bumpers.

"Most cars in the parking lot had hail damage," Criner said. "Some windshields were shattered."

She said she still plans to return to the postponed concert. Tomlinson, on tour for his latest album, "Faith in the Future," has not yet announced a rescheduled date.

Hail at the Louis Tomlinson concert at Red Rocks

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Rocks hail storm: Louis Tomlinson concert canceled for weather