Cleanup and insurance claims underway days after snowstorm

The snowstorm and high winds that swept through Colorado left behind major snow drifts.

“I’d say at least 8 or 9 feet,” said Chris Carsell,employee at Select Physical Therapy in Monument.

Drifts were so high, employees at Select Physical Therapy had to plow their way into work Monday morning.

“If they didn’t get here in the morning we would have a real difficult time. The snow attaches to the roof because the wind was blowing so hard,” said Carsell.

Wind also caused problems in Black Forest.

“There’s two yardsticks, looks like it comes to about 4 feet,” said Sheryl Lambert who lives in Black Forest.

Lambert says on Saturday she saw dozens of cars stranded on East Woodmen Road.

“I got about 4 or 5 miles out, it was whiteout conditions. Cars were turning around spinning out,” said Lambert.

The city of Colorado Springs has a 72 hour limit for abandoned vehicles. If a vehicle remains parked at the same location for 72 hours (three days) the city will assume the reported vehicle is abandoned, and it may be towed and ticketed.

When any vehicle is left parked upon a street fronting on a business zone area continuously for period of 24 hours (one day )it may be towed and ticketed.

With the cleanup comes the damage.

“There will be damage to trees, property, vehicles and accidents,” said Carole Walker, executive director of Rocky Mountain Insurance.

Many trees were knocked down by heavy snow.

“If that tree falls on something and causes damage, the limbs that damage is likely covered but replacing the trees themselves if there’s not property damage then it isn’t covered,” said Walker.