~ The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management is keeping a close eye on the weather conditions in El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs. Local officials are prepared to respond to any impacts caused by the high winds that are expected in the area.

According to the National Weather Service, a High Wind Warning has been issued from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17 through 3 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. In addition, a Red Flag Warning is also in effect today from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The Interstate 25 corridor is expected to experience winds of 20-30 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph. Higher elevations in El Paso County and surrounding areas could see even stronger winds of 30-40 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph.

The Red Flag Warning has been issued due to low humidity levels and the powerful winds. It is advised that people avoid any activities that could potentially start a fire, such as tossing cigarette butts, outdoor burning, campfires, grilling, off-road travel, outdoor use of machinery and welding activities. With low humidity levels and strong winds, fires can spread quickly and pose a serious threat. The Colorado Springs Fire Department reminds individuals that anyone caught engaging in illegal fire or malicious activities that could start a large fire will face fines, charges and possible jail time.

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Residents should also be prepared for downed trees and power lines, power outages and difficult travel conditions during this time period. This is especially important for those driving high-profile vehicles or being outdoors in forested areas or near trees or branches. If possible, it is recommended to stay indoors on lower levels of your home during the windstorm and avoid windows while driving.

To stay informed about emergency situations during this time period, it is highly recommended to sign up for Peak Alerts at peakalerts.org. This service provides official emergency alerts via phone call, email, text message or app notification. Multiple locations can also be registered, such as home, work and school, to receive alerts no matter where you are.

If travel is necessary during this time, it is advised to maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and be prepared for sudden shifts in wind speed or direction. It is also important to be aware of flying debris. Traffic intersections may be without power, so motorists should treat all darkened intersections as a four-way stop. It is crucial to watch for and obey any travel restrictions and stay tuned to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates.

In case of a life-threatening emergency, residents should only call 911.

The high winds may cause trees to fall and power lines to come down. Within the City limits, non-emergency assistance with downed trees in roadways can be obtained by calling City Forestry at (719) 385-5942 or using the GoCOS! mobile app found at ColoradoSprings.gov/gocos. To report a downed street tree within the public right of way, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/tree.

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For those outside of the City limits, assistance with trees or debris blocking roadways can be obtained by calling 719-520-6460 or using the EPC Citizen Connect App at citizenconnect.elpasoco.com/. It is important to note that downed trees on private property are the responsibility of the owner and should be reported to home insurance or a private tree removal company. The City and County do not respond to calls about trees on private property unless there is a threat to life safety or involvement of power lines.

Residents should also prepare for potential power outages by ensuring that all devices are fully charged. This includes phones, laptops and backup batteries. Flashlights and extra batteries should also be easily accessible in case of an outage. Those who rely on medical equipment should have a backup power source or speak with their provider about options. It is also recommended to have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay updated in case of internet outages.

If you come across fallen power lines or trees that have come into contact with a power line, it is important to stay away and immediately contact your utility provider. For Colorado Springs Utilities customers, visit csu.org for power outage safety tips and report and track electric outages online on its outage map. For utilities-related emergencies, downed electric lines or trees in electric lines, call 719-448-4800. Always assume that downed power lines are live and stay far away from them.

For flight information at the Colorado Springs Airport, visit flycos.com or contact the individual airline for updates on flight status.

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