Dozens injured, 7 hospitalized after intense hail storm interrupts Red Rocks concert




Updated at 3:23 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023
Red Rocks Amphitheater outside Morrison will immediately resume concerts while looking at ways to help people evacuate more quickly in the event of an emergency after a hail storm pummeled fans at an outdoor concert Wednesday night.
Staff issued a mandatory evacuation order for the amphitheater just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, less than 10 minutes before golf ball-sized balls of ice rained down on the crowd of 6,000 attendees ahead of a Louis Tomlinson concert.
Our original story continues below.
Seven people were hospitalized and as many as 90 were injured after hail swept across Red Rocks Amphitheatre Wednesday night during a concert.
West Metro Fire District said the injuries ranged from bruises and cuts to broken bones. None were considered life-threatening.
UPDATE: Red Rocks hail storm- 7 people transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. A total of 80 to 90 people treated on scene. Injuries include cuts and broken bones. Sporadic hail still coming down in Morrison area. @StadiumMedical pic.twitter.com/gM7KKNqocW
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) June 22, 2023
Tonight was the scariest night of my life. It started pelting people with hail at Red Rocks and my sister and I luckily found shelter under a sign. I am bleeding and have huge bumps on my head from the hail. Hoping everyone made it out safely. pic.twitter.com/jong1SBuYd
— nicole (@nikkitbfh) June 22, 2023
Video posted by some of those at the performance by singer-songwriter Louis Tomlinson showed concertgoers fleeing for cover as hail ranging from pea- to golf ball-sized and larger pelted the venue.
Patrons sought cover anywhere they could at the venue or ran to their cars, where many found smashed windshields and dents from large hailstones.
The storm that produced the hail was one of several across the state Wednesday, including one that spawned tornadoes on the eastern plains. No injuries were reported, but one tornado destroyed a resident’s home while he hid in the basement, according to Logan County emergency managers.
A health care building under renovation also collapsed in Sterling. Multiple tornadoes touched down outside Akron as well.
Remarkable. 😧 AccuWeather's @TonyLaubach captured this incredible video of side-by-side tornadoes forming in Washington County, Colorado, this afternoon. #COwx pic.twitter.com/8IqaiCQIkW
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 21, 2023
Denver had grape-sized hail from a storm cell that moved in around 9 p.m.
More severe thunderstorms are forecast to hit the Front Range and Eastern Plains on Thursday. They could produce large hail, according to the National Weather Service.
“Any storms that develop could produce heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lightning,” the NWS tweeted. “Stay prepared.”
Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected this afternoon and evening across the I-25 corridor and plains. Large hail will again be the main threat, but any storms that develop could produce heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. Stay prepared! #cowx pic.twitter.com/WHkGArwowj
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 22, 2023
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