Clean up continues after monstrous hail storm

Homeowners and Colorado Springs street crews continued to clean up after last week’s monstrous hail storm Thursday morning.

Artie Barton’s home was nearly destroyed after hail broke her basement windows and water flooded her basement. The ground floor of her home was also flooded in about a foot of water.

Barton said she and her husband have been cleaning day and night for the past week to try and make their home liveable.

She has gotten help from the Red Cross as well as Catholic Charities, which donated a bed and refrigerator to the Bartons.

Barton said damage is everywhere and things are stillfar from normal. In fact, her home is without hot water. She and her husband have been boiling water over the stove to bathe.

But despite all the loss, Barton said she and her husband consider this a new chapter in their lives. They are taking things one day at a time and staying optimistic.

Barton said her insurance company has still not made a decision on whether any of the damages will be covered.

Barton did not have flood coverage, so if the insurance company blames the damage on flooding, the Bartons will not get a penny. However, if the agents find it was hail that caused the damage, the Bartons may get some help.

Barton said she and her husband are alsohoping to get more help from the city of Colorado Springs, but she said they are not counting on it.

A fund has been set up for the Bartons. Donations are being accepted at Wells Fargo Bank locations.

Donate under the Thomson-Barton Catastrophe Fund. The account number is 2019150107.