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.

Video

Look At Planes Damaged By High Winds

Watch Report On Monarch High School Damage

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 Damage

The 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.

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