DENVER -- Authorities in southeastern Colorado say a 50-year-old Arkansas man was killed when a microburst of wind hit his trailer and threw it about 40 feet.
Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley told The Denver Post that the man, whose name and hometown have not been released, was found dead Monday morning. The storm moved through the area, about 5 miles northeast of La Junta, the previous night.
The National Weather Service said the trailer home was not anchored to the ground and was lifted into the air. Investigators say straight-line winds between 75 and 80 mph destroyed the trailer.
Weather Service meteorologist Lisa Kriederman said microbursts occur when heavy, water-laden clouds drop rain that travels through drier air below and the water evaporates, cooling the air. The cold air accelerates as it descends.
State Desk on 06/16/2016