High Winds Wreak Havoc Across Colorado

Wicked winds this weekend did significant damage in parts of Las Animas county and other parts of southern Colorado.

Las Animas County Sheriff James Casias said the area between Stonewall and Weston, west of Trinidad, was hit especially hard by winds that the National Weather Service calculated at more than 60 miles per hour.

In Stonewall large trees were toppled, trailers were overturned, and at least 6 cars were damaged according to Casias. Some vehicles were completely crushed by large limbs from trees.

The sheriff also said several homes were damaged by the wind with siding and roof ripped off homes. There was also one report of a ruptured fuel tank due to the wind. The sheriff said some people lost power during the storm.

In Boulder county, an emergency fire ban remains in effect. High winds Saturday were blamed for three fires and the closure of a farmers market.

The three small blazes were whipped by winds as high as 84 miles an hour.

Power lines were blown down. According to published reports, a woman at the Boulder Farmers Market was hit in the head by a tree limb, prompting the market to close.

The fires were quickly put out, but a garage and a car were destroyed. More than 150 residents near one of the fires received evacuation calls, though the evacuation was lifted by early afternoon.

The high winds were expected to continue, with gusts as high as 41 mph Sunday and up to 50 mph Monday.