Colorado tornado causes serious damage

Electricity is expected to be out into today for almost 15,000 people in areas along the storm's path, which began outside Platteville and traveled northwest past Gilcrest, Milliken, Greeley, Windsor, Timnath and Waverly before heading into southern Wyoming.

At least nine people were hospitalized with various injuries at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, spokesman Alex Stuessie said.

In Greeley, four people were treated for minor injuries at North Colorado Medical Center, administrative representative Laurie Hamit said.

Weld County officials identified the man killed as Oscar Michael Manchester, 52, who was in a camper/RV at the Missile Silo Park, southeast of Windsor, when the storm hit.

Minutes after the storm ripped through Windsor at 11:52 a.m., flipping trucks and derailing a train, residents began to emerge from their basements and cellars to survey the damage.

"This is our whole business. It's total destruction," said Jeremy Howie, co-owner of Buckhorn Landscaping Inc. on Colorado Highway 257 in Windsor, as he looked at the damage to his family business. "At first I just wanted to make sure everyone was all right. Now, we're just trying to figure out where to begin the cleanup and figure out how we are going to survive this financially. It took everything out."

Downed power and telephone lines were scattered across roadways after the storm and the loud hiss of natural gas leaks could be heard in neighborhoods throughout Windsor, a town of 18,000.

"It kind of gives you a taste of what the people who lived through Hurricane Katrina had, but in a smaller dose," Howie said. "(A) trailer over there was picked up and thrown over that garage and this (pickup) truck here was parked (40 yards) over there. It's just total devastation. Everything is gone."

- Coordinate with your preferred disaster response agency to ensure the right type and amount of items are collected. A list of current needs is available by calling 2-1-1 or (800) 559-5590 or going to http://www.weldsheriff.com.

- Focus on one or two items the agency says it needs; that reduces time spent sorting items.

- Items contributed should be new, in unopened packages.

- A financial contribution earmarked for a particular disaster response like Central Weld Tornado is often the most efficient way to help. Cash helps ensure the agency can get exactly what is needed and provides an easily documented tax deduction for you.

- Check back with the agency after a few days or weeks to see if further contributions are needed.

Some items may hinder effective response to a disaster:

- Used clothing is difficult to sort and expensive to transport. Consider selling used items at a yard sale and contributing the proceeds for disaster relief.

- Disaster response agencies are not permitted to use bottled water unless it is commercially sealed. They also are not allowed to use home-canned food; canned goods that are dented, rusted or out of date; or used underwear.