Tornado Damages 19 Homes Near Elizabeth, Colorado
A powerful tornado struck Elbert County on Sunday afternoon, damaging 19 homes and displacing at least six families in a rural community just north of Elizabeth. The tornado developed rapidly from strong wind gusts, catching many residents off guard and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Derek Smith, who was mowing his lawn at the time, said he saw the roof of a nearby house lift off, hover, and then crash back down as surrounding structures collapsed. Smith was hit in the back by flying debris but was not seriously hurt. “We went inside and could see it moving across, and once it cleared, we went over and made sure everyone was OK,” he said.
Emergency responders had been placed on alert earlier in the day due to severe weather forecasts. Juliet Madsen with the Elbert County Office of Emergency Management confirmed that local fire departments had increased personnel in preparation for the storm. Sheriff’s deputies shut down several roads in the affected area and will remain on the scene to protect damaged properties.
Among the storm’s impacts, two dogs were also reported missing. A formal damage assessment is scheduled for Monday as cleanup efforts begin. Smith, whose home was spared, expressed his gratitude and concern for his neighbors. “We’re very lucky—just the grace of God,” he said.
