Tornados - 5/23/08

SUBJECT: Priority High - Weld County Tornados 2008

  1. Report Date/Time: May 23, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. MST

  2. Location: Weld County, Windsor

  3. Event Start Date/Time: May 22, 2008 - at approximately 11:45 am in Weld County,

  4. Agencies involved:
    American Red Cross
    City of Firestone
    City of Fort Morgan
    City of Greeley
    Colorado Department of Agriculture
    Colorado Department of Human Services
    Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment/all Divisions/CoWARN
    Colorado Department of Public Safety/State Patrol/Division of Fire Safety
    Colorado Department of Transportation
    Colorado Fire Chiefs Association
    Colorado National Guard
    Colorado Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (COVOAD)
    Division of Emergency Management
    Division of Local Governments
    Division of Mental Health
    FEMA Region VIII
    Jefferson County Incident Management Team
    Salvation Army
    Town of Gilcrest
    Town of Windsor
    U.S Department of Homeland Security
    Weld County
    Xcel Energy

  5. State assistance: Colorado National Guard has been activated to perform security operations. Colorado State Patrol has brought in additional assets to also conduct security and traffic control. CDOT is providing loans and dump trucks.

  6. Deaths: One confirmed / Major Injuries: Unknown number at this time

  7. Damage: Multiple structures have been damaged / destroyed. Today’s damage assessment teams will be able to establish preliminary numbers.

  8. Current Status: Recovery efforts in the Towns of Gilcrest, Greeley, Johnstown (unincorporated), Plattesville, and Windsor following a severe storm that moved through the region resulting in an estimated six tornados. Search and rescue teams will continue their activities throughout the day. Electrical, gas, and water systems have been disrupted which will take time to restore.

    Xcel Energy is expected to have 38 crews on the ground setting poles and restoring power. Early estimates that power will be fully restored through the area within five-to-seven days. Thus far, 23 gas leaks have been fixed and two lines have been repaired.

    Jefferson County Incident Management Team will take command later today. Federal-State-local disaster assessment teams will begin their activities later this morning across the region. Also, an assessment is being conducted, which will assist in the identification of donations needs. Once that is accomplished, that information will be available via 2-1-1.

  9. Future threats: Public and environmental health issues may become more prevalent as recovery activities continue. This will be related to the loss of electrical power and the disruption of water and gas systems. Behavioral health issues will arise as residents return to their homes. Additional severe thunderstorms are expected to occur in the Weld County area today, which may result in flash flood watches.

  10. Incident Command Jurisdiction/Location: Weld County EOC in Greeley CO.