On May 18, Colorado experienced at least four tornadoes, with one striking near Bennett, just 35 miles from Denver. A notable incident involved a passenger, Kristelle Nielsen, aboard a Southwest Airlines flight approaching Denver International Airport. As the flight neared its destination, Nielsen recorded a massive tornado from her window amidst dark storm clouds.
She and her boyfriend were returning from a wedding in Jacksonville, Florida. Initially, the flight went smoothly; however, as they approached Denver, the pilot announced a delay due to severe weather. Nielsen described circling in the sky and observing “crazy storm clouds.” Despite the turbulence, she noted it wasn’t as severe as expected.
When the plane began its descent again, Nielsen realized they were flying directly toward the ominous clouds. As they descended, she spotted the tornado forming and alerted her boyfriend, prompting other passengers to look out their windows. She captured the moment as the tornado intensified on the ground.
The National Weather Service confirmed the touchdown of two tornadoes near Bennett, as well as two in Adams and Elbert Counties. After landing safely, the Southwest crew made light of the situation, jokingly welcoming passengers to Denver by noting their unique landing experience next to a tornado, which garnered laughter from the crowd.
Nielsen reflected on the memorable trip, which not only included the flight experience but also a recent fire at Jacksonville International Airport, highlighting the unusual nature of their journey. She concluded by encouraging others to keep their windows open during flights to catch spectacular sights.
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