Crews across Colorado are engaged in a major clean-up operation while preparing for further severe weather, after hurricane-force winds caused widespread power outages and exacerbated wildfires along the Front Range and onto the Great Plains.
Widespread Damage and Preemptive Blackouts
The extreme weather event, which began late on Wednesday 18 December 2025, saw winds surpass 100 mph (160 kph) in some areas. In anticipation of the storm, Xcel Energy proactively cut power to large sections of its eastern Colorado service area to prevent downed lines from sparking fires. Despite this precaution, numerous power lines were still blown down.
By Thursday afternoon, power had been restored to roughly 60% of the almost 700 miles (1,100 kilometres) of lines deliberately de-energised. However, approximately 37,000 Xcel customers on the Front Range and in the Rocky Mountains remained without electricity.
Further Outages and Wildfire Threat
The situation is expected to worsen before it improves. Utility officials have warned of another round of potential outages on Friday, with forecasts predicting even stronger winds over a longer duration. Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy-Colorado, cautioned that restoration will not be immediate once the winds subside, as crews must first conduct safety inspections of the damaged infrastructure.
The fierce winds also fanned wildfires in eastern Colorado. In Yuma County, a blaze of undetermined origin scorched at least 14,000 acres (5,700 hectares), according to local emergency management. Meanwhile, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a grass fire prompted the temporary evacuation of a neighbourhood, though no structures were lost.
Regional Impacts and Travel Disruption
The impact of the storm system was felt across the central United States. In Denver, residents faced power cuts overnight, with furniture blown from balconies, windows shattered, and streets littered with fallen branches.
Adjacent states also grappled with dangerous conditions. Much of Kansas was under high wind and red flag fire warnings on Thursday. Blowing dust severely reduced visibility, leading to the closure of a section of Interstate 70 near the Colorado border and prompting officials to advise against non-essential travel.
In the Pacific Northwest, heavy rain and mountain snow continued, with river levels in Washington receding after recent floods that damaged roads and necessitated hundreds of rescues. Further wet and windy weather is forecast for parts of southern Oregon and northern California into the weekend.
Reporting contributions from Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Gene Johnson in Seattle and David Zalubowski in Denver.
