Violent storm flips over trucks and trees in trail of destruction
A violent storm, connected to the atmospheric river event hitting California, tore across El Paso County, Colorado on Monday. High winds descending from the Rockies ploughed through cars and buildings in a trail of destruction while wind gusts were reportedly as high as 101 mph in some areas.
Officials at the Fort Carson military base ordered residents to stay inside their homes, warning in a Facebook post that blowing debris and other hazards made it "extremely dangerous" to leave the house.
SEE ALSO: Barrage of winter storms dump dangerous rain and snow on West Coast
Amid the fury of the storm, parts of the Colorado Springs area saw power outages and school cancellations — with some schools going on lockdown — and huge piles of debris left behind.
Flights were delayed at Denver International Airport and some flights were cancelled at Colorado Springs Airport, where wind speeds reached up to 78 mph.
Much of the Colorado Springs area went into shut-down, as emergency evacuations and street closures took hold in some places.
El Paso County Court evacuated because of wind. Jury duty sent home. Vermijo street by the court closed #cowx pic.twitter.com/QUaWgeFtF0
— Bill Folsom (@KOAABillFolsom) January 9, 2017
“This is one of the worst windstorms I’ve seen in my 34 years with the department,” Colorado Springs Police Department Lt. Howard Black told the Denver Post. “It’s an extremely active event throughout the city, with downed power lines, downed trees in roadways. There is widespread property damage and windows blown out of parked cars.”
Across Twitter, images of the winter storm show smashed cars, buildings with their roofs partially ripped off, and buses and semi-trucks knocked over along the highways.
WATCH THIS! Roof shingles fly off of the roof at Jon's Auto Shop on B Street in Colorado Springs! #crazycoloradosprings pic.twitter.com/sC0fgKrDeQ
— KKTV 11 News (@KKTV11News) January 9, 2017
UPDATE: Hurricane-force winds leave trail of destruction around #ColoradoSprings https://t.co/NtEHUz4Ehk #cowx pic.twitter.com/rW2HPyl3mg
— The Gazette (@csgazette) January 9, 2017
High Wind Safety Tip | Postpone outdoor activities |Take cover indoors or under a shelter | stay away from power lines and trees pic.twitter.com/fzPWUtfcC0
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) January 9, 2017
Wind smashes out police cruiser window while officer evacuating people from courthouse #cowx pic.twitter.com/ry3ipCuGLL
— Bill Folsom (@KOAABillFolsom) January 9, 2017
TWO overturned semis right next to each other on I-25 and South Academy. #cowx #cosprings pic.twitter.com/Rtc8jYYCVY
— Joanna Wise (@KOAAjwise) January 9, 2017
ANOTHER overturned semi. This one on South Academy. @KKTV11News pic.twitter.com/PxuUuda4j6
— Kyla Galer (@kylagalerKKTV) January 9, 2017
Colorado Springs is typically prone to strong winds as air flows downslope from the Rocky Mountains. Monday’s event was notable, however, for causing widespread damage, with gusts reportedly greater than 90 mph in some spots.
Driving around my neighbor & noticing so many fences & trees just destroyed from this wild wind. #cowx #ColoradoSprings @FOX21News pic.twitter.com/Xbz4f8laEi
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonMFOX21) January 9, 2017
Wind damage outside El Paso county courthouse #Coloradosprings #9news #9wx pic.twitter.com/OkNiqS0Ief
— Vicente Arenas (@vicentearenastv) January 9, 2017
Viewer photos of trees downed by high winds in Colorado Springs.
More about the storm: https://t.co/toKQGmd4Ro #COwx pic.twitter.com/8J3vJNs2Fu— FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) January 9, 2017
For perspective on how big this tree root is @KOAAAndyKoen stood in the creator. #cowx @KOAA pic.twitter.com/ZCRq0prc77
— Adam Knapik (@adamknapik) January 9, 2017
Ramblin express bus has turned over near high Highway 115 and south academy. #cowx pic.twitter.com/yB9LOd8jsx
— Adam Knapik (@adamknapik) January 9, 2017
The strong winds were expected to stick around in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region until around 4 or 5 p.m. MST, National Weather Service meteorologist Clint Skelly told The Colorado Springs Gazette.
Meanwhile, other parts of Colorado are seeing heavy snow, part of an unsettled weather pattern across the West that claimed the life of a celebrated Sequoia Tree in California.
Andrew Freedman contributed to this story.