Severe storms cause flooding in northeastern Colorado, hail piles up on Greeley streets and homes
Residents in Greeley as well as other parts of northeastern Colorado are dealing with the aftermath of severe storms that brought hail and flooding. Many cars on Tuesday morning were stuck in floodwaters and some Weld County neighborhoods have several feet of standing water.
The strong Monday night storms brought hail up to 2 inch in diameter, strong winds, heavy rain and dangerous lightning, according to CBS Colorado First Alert Chief Meteorologist Dave Aguilera. There was extensive street flooding in eastern Greeley, Lucerne, Evans and the Garden City community. Johnstown was also a spot where the severe weather brought flash flood warnings.
CBS Colorado's news helicopter flew over the eastern part of the city of Greeley and cars could be seen stuck in high water and piles of hail. Some people were trying to push their cars through the flooding. Hail could be seen on roofs of homes like snow. Farms were also flooded in the rural areas outside of town.
According to First Alert Meteorologist Callie Zanandrie, Greeley received 3.96 inches of precipitation on the east side of town on Tuesday night, and 1.22 inches on the west side of town. Eaton received 2.34 inches of precipitation. There is a risk of severe weather again on the Eastern Plains on Wednesday afternoon and evening, with a slight risk along the Front Range.
One man told CBS News Colorado that he jumped in his truck and braved the flooding to save his father during the storm, "It was like a mud lake in there, water up to about my knees, everything in there floating. It was surreal. Water was about to hit the plugs, so I got my dad secure in the bed and I told him, 'You know, I've got to shut the power off because the last thing I need is to carry you and we both get shocked.' It was like something from a movie."
"We are flooding over here on the other side of First Avenue. The water looks like a river going by. It's halfway up our yard to our house. The holding pond is overflowing," wrote Connie Weatherly Slaymaker in a comment on a Greeley Police Department Facebook post.
On Wednesday morning, the City of Greeley urged property owners to report damages online https://t.co/p3odzpsEt1. The city stated on X, "This form is not a report for insurance or immediate response, but it will help Weld County track and review the storm impacts."
In the overnight hours, Greeley officials opened a temporary shelter for people who were affected by the flooding. That was located at the Greeley Family FunPlex.
"If you require shelter, please head to this location. To avoid road flooding, we recommend you take 20th Street to 65th Avenue OR 16th Street to 71st Avenue," city officials wrote in a Facebook post.
On X, Greeley Recreation posted that "The Active Adult Center, 1010 6th Street, will be closed today, May 29, due to flooding impacts related to last night's storm."
Several people shared video in the comments area of Facebook showing the intense hail and lightning at their homes.
"I've lived in Greeley since 2004 In Parkview and never seen a hail storm like this," commented Salina Newton on the GPD post.
"Anyone know where to get sandbags? House is flooding," Karina Ortega Reza commented.
More severe weather is expected in the eastern half of Colorado on Wednesday in the afternoon and evening hours.
