Western tornadoes (rare, not impossible) hit Wyoming, Colorado

Parts of Wyoming and Colorado were working Friday to recover from the week’s harsh weather, including tornadoes that caused minor injuries.

A rare tornado cut through open country in southeastern Wyoming on Thursday, injuring at least one person and causing some property damage in the Wheatland area. In Colorado, four tornadoes were reported in the Elbert County area, southeast of Denver. A minor injury was also reported there.

The tornadoes were blamed on an unusually powerful storm system moving through the region packing heavy rains, strong winds and conditions that can spawn twisters. The ill weather had significantly cleared up by Friday.

Thursday’s tornado heavily damaged five structures and left 10 to 12 other structures with lesser damage, officials told the Associated Press. One person was treated at a hospital for a cut on the head.

Other damage included the derailing of five empty train cars and the downing of power lines.

The Wyoming storm ultimately moved into Colorado, where four tornadoes were sighted. The Greeley Tribune reported that crops were damaged and that some residents awoke Friday to the smell of onions, which were pelted by hail.

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