(COLORADO SPRINGS)— It was a wild weather day on Saturday with up to 3 tornadoes possibly touching down in northeast El Paso County.
Check out these pictures taken by FOX21 viewers:
These funnel clouds were spotted over Meridian Ranch near Falcon, along with near Black Forest about 4 miles NE of the Air Force Academy.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo says “Preliminary estimates are that 2 to possibly 3 tornadoes touched down in extreme northeast EL Paso County, each with an estimated strength of EF0.”
The funnel clouds were spotted between 1:30 and 3:00pm on Saturday across northern El Paso.
The NWS in Pueblo will be working with the Boulder weather office to conduct a storm survey of the damage in El Paso County.
At this time, no structures were reported damaged but there was some damage to trees and a sign.
Once the NWS does their storm survey, we will have a clear picture of which funnel clouds reached the ground and were confirmed tornadoes. We will also learn more about the strength, length of time on the ground and damage caused.
Many of us received tornado warnings between 2 and 4pm, stretching from Colorado Springs to Monument and Black Forest areas. Another tornado warned area was along Hwy 24 to Falcon and Hwy 94 to Ellicott.
Click here to download the FOX21 Storm Team app. You’ll get alerts for weather impacting your neighborhood, including tornado warnings/watches, and you can send us pictures directly.
Along with the spotted funnel clouds, many had large hail falling at their house during Saturday’s storms. Check out these shots, where some people had hailstones over 3″ in diameter.
Here are some basic tornado safety rules:
If you are outdoors, get indoors in a modern, enclosed building. If you cannot get indoors, as a last resort, go to a low spot, get down, and cover you head with your hands.
If you are in a vehicle in a rural area, you may be able to drive away from the tornado. In an urban area, traffic could slow you down, so it is best to park and get into a modern, enclosed building. Mobile homes should be abandoned for a nearby stronger building.
In your home, the safest place is underground in a basement in a small interior room or under a sturdy structure. If you do not have a basement, go to an interior room, such as a closet or bathroom on the lowest floor. Use blankets, pillows, or cushions to shield your body. Always stay away from windows, which can easily shatter in high winds.
If you are in a public building, go to the predesignated shelter area. Personnel in the building will likely tell you where that shelter is located.
