Latest news with #GregTorfin
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Four tornadoes confirmed east of Denver on Sunday afternoon
At least two powerful EF2 tornadoes touched down east of the Denver Metro Area last weekend At least two powerful EF2 tornadoes touched down east of the Denver Metro Area last weekend At least two powerful EF2 tornadoes touched down east of the Denver Metro Area last weekend The weather turned dangerous Sunday afternoon just east of the Denver metro area, where four tornadoes touched down between 1 and 2 p.m. Three of the four were rated EF2, and one was an EF1. Two of the EF2 tornadoes tracked near Bennett and Elkhorn Ranch, producing estimated winds up to 125 mph. Incredibly, the two tornadoes near Bennett were on the ground simultaneously, from 1:40 to 1:46 p.m. Damage surveys were conducted on Monday. Here are the preliminary reports: Elkhorn Ranch Tornado (NW Elbert County) This tornado formed around 1:07 p.m. and was classified as a strong landspout, which is uncommon for this area. It caused damage near the Elkhorn neighborhood before dissipating five minutes later. Rating: EF2 Winds: Estimated 125 mph Path: 0.94 miles Width: 50 yards No injuries or fatalities Greg Torfin's home in Elbert County was damaged by a tornado. CBS Manila Road Tornado (Arapahoe County) The second tornado touched down south of Manila Village and tracked northeast. This one was tied to a more organized supercell. Rating: EF1 Winds: Estimated 95 mph Path: 2.53 miles Width: 75 yards No injuries or fatalities Tornado in Bennett capturedd on traffic camera along I-70 Colorado Department of Transportation Bennett Tornado #1 (Arapahoe to Adams County) This was the most significant tornado of the day, with a long 5-mile path just west and north of Bennett. Rating: EF2 Winds: Estimated 125 mph Path: 5.09 miles Width: 200 yards No injuries or fatalities A tornado in Adams County on Sunday. Cory Samaniego Lee Bennett Tornado #2 (Northeast of Town) A second tornado formed while the first was still on the ground, overlapping in time but not location. It was the widest of the four, with a path stretching over 4.5 miles. Rating: EF2 Winds: Estimated 112 mph Path: 4.62 miles Width: 400 yards No injuries or fatalities A tornado that struck Colorado on Sunday. Vickki Katchen
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado homeowner reflects on tornado damage after returning from vacation
The National Weather Service has begun surveying damage in Colorado from Sunday afternoon's tornadoes. They are considering radar and wind speeds to determine the strength of the tornado activity. Greg Torfin's home in Elbert County was damaged in Sunday's storms. CBS That process can take up to 48 hours to help those seeking federal aid or insurance. One Elbert County family was on vacation when the devastating storms hit. More than 24 hours since multiple tornadoes ripped apart dozens of homes in Adams and Elbert Counties, homeowners are still coming to terms with their losses. "It was devastating. You feel numb," said Greg Torfin. Torfin's neighborhood in Elkhorn Ranch was among those severely hit by the storms. "It's once in a lifetime," he said. Yet, Torfin was thousands of miles away on vacation as he learned about the destruction and damage to his home. Greg Torfin's neighborhood in Elkhorn Ranch was among those severely hit by the storms. CBS "I was actually at a Dodgers game in Los Angeles when I got a call from the Elbert County sheriff," said Torfin. "A couple of neighbors had called me saying that a tornado had hit my property." When he and his wife returned early Monday morning, their barn had been destroyed. "Every part of it was thrown that direction towards Bennett," he said, pointing north. Parts of the roof of his home were also taken out by the winds. "The second floor structure was actually lifted up and shifted two inches to the north, so the whole top is twisted," said Torfin. While showing CBS Colorado all of the damage to his home, he was also feeling grateful that everyone, including his two Dobermans, survived the chaos. He says their pet sitter had stepped out of the home before the tornado hit, but the dogs were still inside when neighbors stepped in to help get them out. Greg Torfin "They know our dogs, and they knew that the dogs were there. They got with the fire department and they got in, got the dogs out," said Torfin. "They were pretty scared, as you can imagine." He said his daughter also helped to quickly rally contractors in the area to come out and help protect the home from further water damage. "[They] started boarding up windows and putting the paper down to keep the water down," said Torfin. "The Elbert County Sheriff's Office says that was probably the quickest they'd seen someone come out." As he continues to wait and see when he and his neighbors can return home, Torfin chooses to remain hopeful. "Whatever it takes, we're going to stay here, put the structure back, he said.
