Tornadoes hit southeastern Colorado

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LAMAR, Colo., April 27 (UPI) -- Tornadoes heavily damaged many homes, disabled a power station and downed power lines early Friday in southeastern Colorado, authorities said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Wiley Fire Chief Jim Farmer said the tornadoes were reported south of Lamar, north of Lamar and near Chivington but they had not been confirmed, KUSA-TV, Denver, reported.

Colorado Emergency Management officials urged people in the Lamar area to exercise caution because of downed power lines. In a statement, the agency said power had been knocked out in Lamar, Eads, Chivington, Sheridan Lake and surrounding areas.

The statement said damage to homes was "considerable."

The Colorado State Patrol said in a news release overnight tornadoes had caused "severe property damage" in the Lamar area, where the power station was disabled, cutting off power. Gas stations in Lamar could not pump fuel, the State Patrol said, urging motorists to avoid Lamar until power was restored.

Several families were reportedly displaced from their homes because of damage.