20-05-2025
Couple rushes to basement to survive tornado in Elbert County
ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — One minute, Tim and Linda Greenwood were sitting in their home. A few seconds later, they were bolting for the basement as they saw a twister headed their way Sunday afternoon.
The tornado touched down in the Elkhorn Ranch neighborhood, northeast of Parker.
Elbert County declares local emergency after May 18 tornado
'We were actually sitting in that room when it came, so that's the room we were in,' Linda Greenwood said.
They had 10 to 15 seconds to escape damage they did not think was imaginable. Complete eeriness and fear below ground.
'Glass was popping. Wood was breaking,' Tim said.
When they made their way upstairs to the ground level of their home, half of it was gone. A FOX31 drone captured an image of the back half of their home, destroyed.
Their barn was also decimated. The couple did not know if they would survive.
'I just remember wood breaking. Loud popping noises and glass shattering. I didn't think the house was going to be there, but some of it is left, but most of it is destroyed. It's going to be a long road ahead of us, but we will get there,' Tim said.
'It's rough, but we lived through it,' Linda said.
At least 20 structures damaged by tornadoes in eastern Colorado on Sunday
The couple was able to save their dog in the basement. Crews were working on patching up portions of their home. A dining room table could be seen between portions of walls that had been blown away.
Linda's sister and brother-in-law were helping them sort through the rubble on Monday. The Greenwoods said they were thankful to so many neighbors who also came to offer help in this tight-knit community.
The Elbert County Office of Emergency Management said more than 20 structures were damaged by the storm.
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