Season's first storm: Thousands left without power, snapped tree limbs, schools closed

[madamesilverspurs]

The season's first snowstorm dumped about a foot of snow on Greeley overnight, snapping trees, closing schools and knocking out power to thousands of Greeley, Windsor and Weld County residents. Many stoplights were out and many roads were littered with broken tree limbs. Utility officials said it could take days to restore power in some areas. Some residents said the loud cracking tree limbs kept them awake through the night. Greeley-Evans School District 6, Eaton Re-2, Windsor-Severance Re-4 and Johnstown-Milliken Re-5J have all reported closures because of downed trees, power outages and other safety issues. The University of Northern Colorado also closed today because of the storm, and tree limbs were down across the campus. Aims closed its Loveland campus, but Greeley was open. Mark Stutz, spokesman for Xcel Energy, said although power has been restored to some areas, more has gone out since the company originally reported 18,600 customers in the dark at 7 a.m. Stutz said the Greeley/Evans area has the most outages in Colorado; 25,000 customers are still without power, and it could remain that way for several days. “We are working the area hard,” Stutz said. “That area was the hardest hit.” Michelle Aguayo with Xcel Energy said crews are out working to restore power as quickly as possible. “We brought in extra crews because with all the leaves still on the trees, we anticipated this might be a problem,” she said. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. today, and the National Weather Service said snow should begin taping off this afternoon. Forecasters even offered a little encouragement: Although temperatures will plunge into the teens tonight, they are expected to rebound to seasonal normals by Friday and even warmer this weekend.

for pictures and updates see: http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20111026/NEWS/710269997/1002&parentprofile=1001

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My power was out this morning, electricity is back but the cable is still out. I'm relying on the net for news, seeing as how radio reception is lousy. Glad to be inside!

[classof56]

1. Oh, my! Not good news. Hope you came through okay.

I have a friend in that area whose husband just passed away. The sadness compounds. I grew up near Denver and well remember those winter storms. Not fun at all!

Stay safe.

[Warpy]

2. We only got a few sprinkles here in NM, just enough to dirty the windshields

but we're hoping for slightly better things tonight. Just as long as we don't have to shovel anything, it's all good.

The wind is howling out there, though, so everybody downstream needs to watch this one.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. kick. Take care!

[kestrel91316]

4. Waving hi to Greality (from a former Ftcollinsite).

[safeinOhio]

5. Do you do

down hill or cross country?

[madamesilverspurs]

6. Not any more!

Wrecked my knees in a bad spill at A-basin back around 1962. I'm pleased to observe from a warm fireside these days!

[myrna minx]

7. Hang in there and stay safe.