
Colorado couple hit hard by storm: "We've done all the work outselves and it's gone"
One Colorado couple was hit hard by the storms that struck on Sunday afternoon. Vickki Katchen and her family live in Adams County and are picking up the pieces.
Vickki and Mark's home in Adams County.
CBS
The home she built a life in with her partner Mark... destroyed.
"This was my dream," she told CBS Colorado's Sarah Horbacewicz.
"What are you gonna do? Everything we've worked out assess off for 24 years... built his barn, we've done all the work ourselves, and it's gone."
She and her family made it safely through the storm.
CBS
"We had a blanket... we covered ourselves with a blanket. This is a water bed, so Mark said, 'We'll be back there because this probably isn't going to move,' " said Katchen.
Just as soon as the storm passed, friends and family were already at their door to help.
"My phone has been ringing nonstop. The first thing I did was call my kids," said Katchen. "My one neighbors came and helped me get the dogs, the other ones are gonna go get their travel trailer."
Even as they begin to survey the damage, the reality is hitting hard.
CBS
"I mean, this is like not even a real thing. This is like a nightmare. Like I said, we worked all our lives for this. Every dime we have is in this property."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: Here's Where Aurora Borealis May Appear Thursday
A group of states across the northern U.S. will have a chance to see the northern lights Thursday, with more areas likely to see the phenomenon as some geomagnetic storms are expected later this week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some 'minor' to 'moderate' geomagnetic storms are likely later this week, forecasters said. Auroral activity is forecast with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Thursday night, suggesting the northern lights will be 'quite pleasing to look at' for stargazers in the right areas, as the displays will likely be more active farther from the poles. Thursday's aurora forecast follows some 'minor' geomagnetic storms late Wednesday, which brought a likelihood for northern lights displays to nearly 15 states, NOAA's three-day forecast indicates. Some 'minor' to 'moderate' geomagnetic storms are expected Saturday night because of sustained solar winds, NOAA said, which could increase the Kp index forecast to nearly six, though a Kp index of four is projected for Friday. Most of Canada and Alaska will have a higher chance of seeing the northern lights, with a lesser opportunity forecast for parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. (See map below.) Thursday's view line. About 10 states will have an opportunity to view the northern lights Friday, with a lower chance forecast for Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maine, with the highest likelihood forecast for Alaska. NOAA suggests traveling to a high, north-facing and unobstructed vantage point away from light pollution between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. If using a smartphone, NASA recommends using a tripod to stabilize the image, enabling night mode and disabling flash. With a regular camera, photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. Geomagnetic storms disrupt Earth's magnetic fields around the north and south poles, where electrons accelerate and 'bombard' the upper atmosphere while creating aurora borealis. More aurora borealis displays are expected through early 2026, according to projections from NASA and NOAA, after a 'solar maximum' was reached on the sun's surface last year. This peak, achieved periodically over the sun's 11-year cycle, represents an increase in solar events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These events are also responsible for the northern lights, as electrons from these events collide with molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to become 'excited' before releasing energy in the form of swirling lights.


CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Out-of-control Oregon wildfire forces evacuations and highway closures as gusty winds challenge firefighters
A wildfire burning out of control in Oregon, near the state's border with Washington, has forced hundreds of evacuations and closures of major roadways as gusty winds threaten further spread and challenge firefighting crews. The Rowena Fire has burned 2,500 acres since it ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It's 0% contained as of early Thursday morning. More than 800 homes were under evacuation orders in part of northern Wasco County Wednesday night, CNN affiliate KATU reported. An additional 2,500 homes were under evacuation warnings or advisories urging residents to be ready to evacuate soon – including parts of The Dalles, the county's largest city and home to about 15,000 people. Interstate 84 was shut down in both directions for nearly 20 miles on Wednesday evening but reopened early Thursday morning, with travelers urged to use caution, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Nearby US-30 remained closed in both directions for about 10 miles Thursday morning. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Wednesday afternoon, allowing the state's fire marshal to mobilize resources to help combat the fire, according to a news release. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in the release. 'The predictions for this summer are extremely concerning. I am asking everyone to take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.' Oregon and the Pacific Northwest baked under intense heat this week that dried out soil and left vegetation vulnerable to fire start and spread. The high temperature hit triple digits in The Dalles on both Sunday and Monday – Monday's high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit broke a record for the date that had stood since 1955. Windy conditions on Wednesday, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, fanned the flames once the Rowena Fire sparked in the afternoon. Wind will pose a continued challenge for fire crews Thursday. Gusts of 10 to 15 mph in the morning will increase to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, and a few gusts past 30 mph are possible. Winds will remain gusty at times through Friday and no rain is expected into at least early next week. CNN's David Williams contributed to this report.


CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Out-of-control Oregon wildfire forces evacuations and highway closures as gusty winds challenge firefighters
A wildfire burning out of control in Oregon, near the state's border with Washington, has forced hundreds of evacuations and closures of major roadways as gusty winds threaten further spread and challenge firefighting crews. The Rowena Fire has burned 2,500 acres since it ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It's 0% contained as of early Thursday morning. More than 800 homes were under evacuation orders in part of northern Wasco County Wednesday night, CNN affiliate KATU reported. An additional 2,500 homes were under evacuation warnings or advisories urging residents to be ready to evacuate soon – including parts of The Dalles, the county's largest city and home to about 15,000 people. Interstate 84 was shut down in both directions for nearly 20 miles on Wednesday evening but reopened early Thursday morning, with travelers urged to use caution, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Nearby US-30 remained closed in both directions for about 10 miles Thursday morning. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Wednesday afternoon, allowing the state's fire marshal to mobilize resources to help combat the fire, according to a news release. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in the release. 'The predictions for this summer are extremely concerning. I am asking everyone to take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.' Oregon and the Pacific Northwest baked under intense heat this week that dried out soil and left vegetation vulnerable to fire start and spread. The high temperature hit triple digits in The Dalles on both Sunday and Monday – Monday's high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit broke a record for the date that had stood since 1955. Windy conditions on Wednesday, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, fanned the flames once the Rowena Fire sparked in the afternoon. Wind will pose a continued challenge for fire crews Thursday. Gusts of 10 to 15 mph in the morning will increase to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, and a few gusts past 30 mph are possible. Winds will remain gusty at times through Friday and no rain is expected into at least early next week. CNN's David Williams contributed to this report.