Elbert County emergency officials report 24 properties damaged after May 24 Elkhorn Ranch tornado; disaster assistance center set up

Juliet Madsen, interim director of emergency management for Elbert County, told commissioners that an F2 tornado moved through the Alcorn/Elkhorn Ranch area on May 24, damaging 24 confirmed properties and damaging vegetation and infrastructure.

Madsen said no people were hurt. Several pets were initially reported missing or injured; county staff later confirmed those animals were located and treated and are currently stable. On-scene emergency responders included Rattlesnake Fire Department, Elizabeth Fire Department and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Department; the Elbert County posse and volunteer organizations also assisted in search, rescue and cleanup operations.

County staff and volunteers have provided food and cleanup support, Madsen said. The county has handed out more than 450 meals, arranged more than 13 dumpsters for debris, and reported the loss of about 50 ponderosa pines along the tornado path. The county and state damage-assessment teams conducted door-to-door checks of affected residences.

A disaster assistance center was scheduled for the Thursday following the storm from 4 to 8 p.m. at Rattlesnake Fire Station, 46220 Coal Creek Drive in Parker (Elkhorn Ranch community). Madsen said representatives from the American Red Cross, Colorado Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Colorado Division of Insurance, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado State University Extension, Centennial Mental Health Emergency Support Team, United Policyholders, United Way Mile High and county offices including clerk and recorder, assessor, building and public health would staff the center. CORE Electric and the Elkhorn Ranch homeowners association were also listed as participants.

Chairman (name not specified in the record) and other commissioners thanked first responders and county crews for rapid response and cleanup work. The chairman also praised county public works staff for replacing signage and sweeping streets after the storm.

County officials said recovery work is ongoing and that further assessments and repairs (including tree removal and roof/vehicle damage assessments) will continue as staff processes insurance estimates and coordinates volunteer support.

The meeting record did not include a formal vote related to disaster assistance during the report; commissioners were given the update and moved on to other agenda items.