Strong and damaging wind gusts in southern Colorado knocked over multiple semitrailers on Interstate 25 Tuesday, according to Colorado State Patrol.

Trooper Sherri Mendez told The Gazette she has seen five reported rollovers as of 3:30 p.m. A majority were reported near Walsenburg — an area that National Weather Service in Pueblo said consistently reports strong gusts during the spring months.

On I-25 near mile marker 53, a vehicle carrying a trailer tipped over at 9:49 a.m. The five occupants of the vehicle were transported to a local area hospital and the extent of injuries is unknown at this time, State Patrol said.

Only minutes later, a semitrailer rolled over near mile marker 56 at 9:55 a.m. Both lanes of traffic were blocked but no injuries were reported.

Hours later, another overturned semi was reported near mile marker 54 around 12:10 p.m. The left southbound lane and the left northbound lane on I-25 were blocked. One driver was transported to a local area hospital and the extent of their injuries are unknown.

Quickly after, another SUV hauling a trailer tipped over at 12:13 p.m. near mile marker 53. No injuries were reported, State Patrol said.

The latest rollover was reported at 12:48 p.m. near mile marker 53, according to Mendez. Both lanes of travel were blocked and minor injuries are suspected, according to State Patrol.

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“The winds are passing through La Veta Pass and that’s a pretty gap flow prone area there — where (high winds) happen rather frequently,” Cameron Simcoe, Weather Service meteorologist, said.

According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, the highest recorded wind gust as of 3 p.m. was 64 mph at the Colorado Springs Airport at 12:18 p.m.

Simcoe said the high gusts fall into the high wind warning criteria – a warning El Paso County will see through noon Wednesday.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging caution as the agency reports that nearly every main highway and interstate in southern Colorado has been flagged with a high wind warning.

CDOT reported a full road closure between Hugo and Kit Carson around 2:30 p.m. due to “safety concerns.” It is unclear at this time when lanes will reopen.

When winds are this strong, Simcoe says the majority of the damage reported is knocked down power lines or structural damage to buildings – but damage to vehicles is not uncommon either.

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Winds as strong as the ones seen in recent days throughout the Pikes Peak region can cause “hazardous” travel conditions for high profile and lightweight vehicles. Simcoe says the level of danger on the road depends on it’s orientation.

“Right now we have westerly, southwesterly winds and north to south orientated roads are more hazardous for that, whereas tonight will be more like a northerly, northwesterly wind. So then it becomes more easterly and the westerly orientated roads will be more hazardous,” Simcoe said.

Looking at Tuesday night, the region may see dustings of snow, Simcoe said. High winds combined with light snow could impact visibility while traveling.

For those new to Colorado and the Front Range, Simcoe said these winds are to be expected for this time of year. While Tuesday’s winds may be “a little abnormally high,” springtime in Colorado sees big systems come in “rather frequently.”

“It’s just that transitional shoulder season, and this is what we get,” Simcoe said.

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On Monday, the Weather Service reported that the strongest gust in southern Colorado was 71 mph in Walsenburg. Areas near the Air Force Academy saw 60 mph gusts in the morning. Around the city 35-40 mph gusts were reported with 45-50 mph gusts in Pueblo.

One extreme 71 mph wind gust was strong enough to blow over a semi trailer on Interstate 25 near Walsenburg Monday around 2:12 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

Alongside the high winds comes red flag warnings throughout the region prompting officials to urge caution with any flames or sparks.

The Weather Service issued a red flag warning starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday that was scheduled to last until 8 p.m.