Tornadoes that hit Bennett, Elbert County were rated EF2, meteorologists say

Two tornadoes that tore across parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties on Sunday, leaving dozens of destroyed or damaged buildings in their wake, were rated EF2, National Weather Service meteorologists said Tuesday morning.

EF2 tornadoes reach wind speeds between 111 mph and 135 mph and are marked by “considerable damage,” NWS meteorologists said.

Damage often includes roofs torn off of well-constructed homes, buildings shifting on their foundations, destroyed mobile homes, cars tossed across long distances, and snapped or uprooted trees, meteorologists said.

The exact track, width and speed of the Bennett and Elkhorn Ranch tornadoes were not yet available Tuesday morning.

The tornado that touched down in northwestern Elbert County’s Elkhorn Ranch neighborhood on Sunday damaged at least 19 buildings, according to the Elizabeth Fire Protection District.

Another 17 buildings, including six homes and a solar farm, were damaged or destroyed in Bennett by a tornado that touched down three times Sunday afternoon, according to Arapahoe County Sheriff’s officials.

A tornado also touched down near Watkins, but it did not destroy property. NWS meteorologists have not yet released an EF rating for that tornado.

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