DENVER -- A storm that hit the Denver metro area suddenly Monday night knocked out power to 50,000 homes and businesses, uprooted trees, shattered windows and left debris blocking streets.

Minor injuries were reported by people in the western suburbs -- mostly from flying glass and debris. The storm dropped as much as an inch of rain in less than an hour, causing street flooding in some areas.

By early Tuesday morning, Xcel Energy said 27,500 customers in Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Lakewood were still without power. Downed trees fell into yards, onto powerlines and onto houses.

The estimated time for power to be restored for most customers was moved from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 11 p.m. Xcel spokesman Tom Henley said some customers may be without power beyond that.

The core of the strongest storm was located over Lakewood at 10:35 p.m. when the tornado warning was in effect.

After examining the damage, 7News Storm Chaser Tony Laubach said a weak tornado likely touched down in the Wheat Ridge area. He said some of the heaviest damage was along Kipling Street from 20th Avenue to 32nd Avenue. He said the tornado may have been an EF1, which has wind speeds of 86 to 110 mph.

The National Weather Service said the damage was caused by straight-line winds from a microburst.

The Storm Prediction Center reported two tornadoes, one in Englewood and one in Castle Rock.

Traffic lights were still out in much of Wheat Ridge Tuesday morning. Motorists were instructed to treat intersections as four-way stops.

Wheat Ridge police said the worst damage was reported on West 44th Avenue, between Holland and Youngfield streets, north to the Arvada city limits.

Among the damage surveyed by 7News crews: a tree over a house with a boat underneath the tree, trees downed -- both uprooted and snapped off along the trunks, power poles snapped, with downed power lines in the streets.

"The kitchen's gone. It's gone," said Dorothy Mettee in Lakewood. "The whole house is full of glass and hail and water and all the windows are blown out across the front of the house."

Greenhouse Left In Shreds

Stevens & Son Greenhouse at 54th & Eldridge, in Arvada, was hit hard by the hail.

Owner Bruce Daniel said the exterior of his business was made out of polycarbonate fiber that is supposed to be hail proof . It was pummeled to shreds.

"There was probably 4 to 5 inches of hail on the desks with the computers, printers and everything," said Daniel's wife, Kay.

"I don't know that it really hit me till later in the evening when we went back home, what we were really faced with," said Daniel. "The initial thought was that I was glad there weren't any employees here (during the storm) because this would not have been a fun place to be."

The Daniels told 7NEWS that in 30 years in business they've never experienced anything close to this.

They said they're still open for business and that employees are making deliveries.

Winds were measured at 70 mph in the suburbs, kicked up by a cold front that moved through the area about 9:30 p.m.

An inch of rain was measured in 30 minutes during the most-intense part of the storm, according to the National Weather Service. The storm also dumped large amounts of hail, ranging from pea-sized to grape-sized, also fell in the area.

In Wheat Ridge, the Kipling Village apartment complex at 4551 Kipling St., had 100 windows blown out by the storm.

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The National Weather Service received the following reports of severe weather events Monday night:

A 60 mph wind gust in Arvada at 10:15 p.m. An estimated wind gust of 70 mph in Lakewood at the same time. Hail 4 to 6 inches deep, windows blown out.

1-inch hail west of Littleton, 8 inches deep at 10:15 p.m. 1.75-inch hail in Fort Collins at 10:16 p.m.

Hail covering the ground with 18-inch drifts in places at 10:18 p.m. in Arvada. Heavy rain, lots of tree damage.

Severe wind damage 3 miles north of Arvada, at 10:30 p.m. 60-foot-tall Cottonwood trees flattened.

Small funnel cloud that lasted 5 minutes reported 6 miles west of Littleton, in Jefferson County, at 10:45 p.m.

Significant wind damage along 44th Ave. in Wheat Ridge at 11 p.m. Street flooding also reported.

Tornado observed by a trained spotted near S. Bannock Street and W. Kenyon Avenue, in Englewood, at 11:08 p.m. A trained spotter said it was a "rope like" tornado that touched down less than 5 minutes southwest of the intersection of Hampden Avenue and S. Broadway.

Heavy rain, totally 2.67 inches in 45 minutes at 11:20 p.m. 2 miles east-northeast of Fort Collins.

Shingles blown off roofs with 70 mph winds in Lochbuie at 11:27 p.m.

Tornado observed by NWS employee 5 miles south of Castle Rock at 11:30 p.m.

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Carole Walker, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, a group that represents insurance companies in the region, said it would be days before they are able to determine the extent of the damage.

The City of Wheat Ridge has established a collection point for tree limbs and leaves at 4200 Kipling Street, just northeast of the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. The collection point is for Wheat Ridge residents only. Proof of residency will be required with a photo I.D. showing a Wheat Ridge address, or a photo I.D. and a utility bill showing a Wheat Ridge address.

The collection point is for property and homeowners only. No private contractors please. Debris will be accepted from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m for the next few days.

Lakewood residents can take tree limbs from the storm to the Rooney Road Recycling Center free of charge until July 28. The recycling center is at 151 S. Rooney Road, and Lakewood residents will have to show proof of their Lakewood address through a driver’s license. Only tree limbs will be accepted at the center free of charge.

Jefferson County libraries were closed Tuesday. The building with main computer server had no power, so they haven't been able to operate.

What To Do If You Have Storm Damage

The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association has this advice for affected residents filing claims for damage.

Be prepared to give your agent or insurance representative a description of any damage. Your agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or a qualified adjuster. Some companies also have 24-hour, 800 numbers for claims assistance.

Take photos of the damage. These will help with your claims process and will assist the adjuster in the investigation.

Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to make two copies -- one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.

Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows, damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.

Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home from a reliable contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.

Serious losses will be given priority. If your home has been destroyed or seriously damaged, your agent will do everything possible to assure that you are given priority.

Tips for Hiring a Contractor

Hiring a reputable contractor to do repairs or construct a new home is critical. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to choose a contractor. Also check with the area Home Builders Association, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Make certain they are licensed and have adequate insurance coverage.

Don't become a victim of disaster fraud. After a natural disaster, professionals often go from door-to-door in damaged neighborhoods, offering clean up or repair services. Many of these business people are reputable. Others are not. The dishonest ones may pocket payment without completing the job or use inferior materials and perform shoddy work not up to code.

Checklist When Going With A Contractor

Get more than one estimate. Don't be pushed into signing a contract right away.

Get everything in writing. Cost, work to be done, materials, time schedule, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations should be detailed.

Demand references and check them out.

Ask to see the salesperson's driver's license and write down the license number and license plate number.

Ask for proof that the contractor is bonded, carries liability insurance, and covers his/her workers with workers compensation insurance.

The contractor's business card should have a verifiable street address and office phone number.

Never sign a contract with blanks; unacceptable terms can be added later.

Never pay a contractor in full or sign a completion certificate until the work is finished. Request a lien waiver indicating the contractor has paid its subcontractors and suppliers.

Insurance coverage may be rendered void if intentional misrepresentation by a policyholder is discovered.

If you believe you have been approached by an unlicensed contractor or adjuster, or have been encouraged to fabricate an insurance claim, contact your insurance company or call the National Insurance Crime Bureau Hotline at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).

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