Deadly Microburst northeast of La Junta - Sunday, June 12th

Overview

A line of severe storms moved across southeast Colorado Sunday evening, June 12th 2016. The storms produced large hail and widespread severe winds. In some areas wind gusts were in excess of 70 mph. Around 5 miles northeast of La Junta (Otero County) a trailer home, not anchored to the ground, was lofted into the air, and the occupant was killed. A damage survey was conducted by NWS Pueblo, and it was determined that 75-80 mph straight-line winds caused the destruction. A number of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for the southeast plains. The warning for northeast Otero County was issued at 8:25 p.m. MDT. The fatality at the trailer home occurred around 8:37 p.m. MDT.

Destroyed trailer home northeast of La Junta, CO

Wind & Hail
Radar

Wind:

A line of severe storms produced severe winds and hail in Crowley, Otero and Bent Counties.

Wind damage:

Images of the trailer home below:


The trailer was lofted and flipped on its side	Panoramic image: the trailer was lofted around 40 feet to the east	No damage to power poles near the trailer, or to vegetation to the east

Radar and trailer photo:

A small, unoccupied trailer home was also destroyed around 5 1/2 miles south-southwest of Las Animas in Bent County.


Severe storms northeast of La Junta producing deadly microbust	Severe storms south of Las Animas which destroyed an unoccupied trailer	Destroyed trailer south of Las Animas

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