High Winds Wreak Havoc Along Front Range
Wind Warning Cancelled For Remainder Of Afternoon
UPDATED: 6:03 pm MST December 20, 2004
DENVER -- Hurricane-force wind gusts raked the Front Range Monday, forcing closure of a highway, toppling planes and blowing part of the roof off a high school gymnasium.Highway 93, between Golden and Boulder, was closed briefly at mid-day Monday because of high winds. The highway, which runs parallel to the foothills, is a frequent scene of downslope winds. It was reopened to traffic at 10:30 a.m.
Winds of 98 mph were recorded at Carter Lake in Larimer County Monday morning. Superior, Colo., clocked a wind gust of 95 mph. Two miles south of Golden, a gust of 85 mph was recorded. Evergreen, Colo., clocked winds at 80 mph, with 79 mph gusts reported at Louisville, Colo., and atop South Table Mountain in Golden.Gusts of 75 mph blew out some car windows in Broomfield, according to the National Weather Service.High winds blew part of the roof off the gym at Monarch High School in Superior. The wrestling team was in the gym at the time but was not injured. A house under construction was blown down in Lafayette, Colo. Several small planes were tipped over at Boulder Airport and others were damaged, 7NEWS reported.The high winds knocked KBCO Radio off the air for about an hour, when it lost power. The station said winds at its tower reached 140 mph.There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines throughout the area, as a result of high winds. A large semitrailer was blown over by winds on the Boulder Turnpike, authorities said.
SLIDESHOW: See Wind DamageThe high wind warning was extended until 5 p.m., but was later cancelled. Windy weather was expected to continue, but the winds weren't expected to meet the National Weather Service criteria for a high wind warning.Want to know when breaking news and weather is happening? Sign up for our FREE Desktop Alert and receive an alert on your computer everytime breaking news occurs. It will also alert you to severe weather watches and warnings for the counties that you've signed up for. Additional Resources:
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