Ill Wind
Barbara Crimond | Mar 14, 2019 | Comments 0
The High Wind Warning from the National Weather Service in Pueblo began Wednesday afternoon and is expected to diminish by mid day Thursday in southeast Colorado. The areas impacted in the region were all of Kiowa, Bent, Prowers and Baca Counties. An intense low pressure system moving north and east across Northwestern Kansas will keep strong winds across the far Southeast Plains into early Thursday morning.
While the Front Range was hit by blizzard conditions, closing highways and shutting down Denver International Airport, southeast Colorado saw numerous effects of the windy storm including closing Highway 287 between Lamar and Springfield Wednesday evening around 8:45pm.
Various power outages were reported in Prowers County as falling tree limbs and strong winds toppled tree branches and power poles. Wind gusts were in excess of hurricane speeds as Lamar Airport recorded a gust of 78mph, Colorado Springs registered 97mph, La Junta at 89mph and Pueblo at 75mph at the airport.
While area residents had to just sit and wait it out, emergency services were responding through the course of the afternoon and evening to deal with the effects of the storm, from large trash containers rolling into streets to downed tree limbs taking out poles, power and pickups.
Emergency vehicles continued to respond to calls in Lamar on Thursday morning.
By Russ Baldwin
Filed Under: City of Lamar • Environment • Events • Featured • Hot Topics • Public Safety • Utilities
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