The Associated Press
EADS, Colo. — At least 10 buildings were damaged after as many as three rare nighttime tornadoes reportedly ripped through sparsely populated areas on the southeastern Colorado plains.
The state emergency management division says tornadoes were reported early Friday in Prowers, Kiowa and Bent counties. Kiowa County authorities rescued a resident who was briefly trapped in a home near Chivington.
Tornado season usually doesn’t begin until May in Colorado and tornadoes are rare overnight, when the temperature drops. The severe weather hit after near record highs in the 80s.
Forecasters say heat creates instability in the atmosphere that can lead to severe storms and tornadoes.
Power remains out in several areas, and the state Department of Transportation says motorists are having trouble finding gas.