Denver sees twister, loses power and trees

[vivfox]

Minor injuries reported; tens of thousands without electricity

July 22, 2009

DENVER - More than 50,000 homes and businesses lost power in the Denver area after a powerful storm brought high winds, heavy rain and hail.

Thunderstorms and a weak tornado rolled through Monday night, leaving broken windows, downed power lines and uprooted trees.

The National Weather Service says the storm dropped about an inch of rain in less than 30 minutes in west Denver. Winds reached 60 mph.

Forecasters say a tornado briefly touched down in the southwest Denver area after 11 p.m. Monday, but no damage was reported.

Minor injuries were reported in the west Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge. Fallen trees and power lines were still blocking streets there on Tuesday morning, when Xcel Energy said 27,000 customers were still without electricity.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32027152/ns/weather/

BETSY, I HOPE YOU ARE OK???

[Betsy]

Thanks Viv --

I think Gldstwmn had it worse than I did...

We got the rains and lightning...and they did sound like a freight train, revving its engine.

I live in a small town south and east of Denver about 20 miles, but I like to claim Denver since it's "the big time"...

[JWS]

My sister lives in Littleton, a suburb. I'll have to ask her about this.