Delta storm history

Excessive spring runoff and debris backing up in culverts led to a large sinkhole developing on Highway 133 north of Paonia and south of Somerset, Colorado between mile markers 14 and 19. This resulted in the closure of the highway to allow emergency repairs to be made. The sinki…

A strong eastward-moving thunderstorm cell collapsed over central Delta County and produced damaging winds across portions of eastern Delta County. Measured wind speeds included 79 mph at a location 4 miles northwest of Hotchkiss and 90 mph at a location just under 3 miles southe…

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph downed power lines and knocked over some trees 1 mile west-southwest of Eckert.

Snowmelt produced a washout on National Forest System Road (NFSR) #704-Condemn-It park road located at mile post 1.5 south of West Muddy Guard Station in the Paonia Ranger District. The road was not passable and remained closed.

Emergency management reported flooding along portions of the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Hotchkiss, mainly in the form of significant erosion of banks along the river. A few cars from a junkyard that was located right against the river bank were taken by the water.

Flooding on Surface Creek led to the closure of a recreational trail along the river, near Cedaredge, as the trail was washed out.

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Paonia, Colorado. This led to a power pole that was near the river to be washed out, resulting in a power outage for almost 7…

Rapid snowmelt resulted in flooding across Bell Creek Road outside Paonia as Bell Creek overran its banks.

Heavy rain produced minor street flooding in downtown Delta.

A peak wind gust of 63 MPH was measured by the automated Mesonet weather station 3 miles north-northwest of Hotchkiss.

A peak wind gust of 59 mph was measured by the automated weather station at the Blake Field Airport in Delta.

A peak wind gust of 63 mph was measured by an automated weather station 12 miles southeast of Whitewater.

A peak wind gust of 62 mph was measured by an automated weather station 12 miles southeast of Whitewater.

Wind gusts estimated to be in the 70 to 75 mph range uprooted some very large trees and caused damage to cabins and vehicles.

Water flowed across Colorado Highway 92 east of Delta which brought traffic to a standstill. Rain rates exceeded one inch per hour with a Cooperative Observer 3 miles east of Delta measuring 1.20 inches in an hour.

An automated weather station three miles north-northwest of Hotchkiss recorded a peak wind gust of 70 MPH.

A total of 1.25 inches of rain was measured within 90 minutes.

A blocked culvert and increased water flow due to recent rainfall near the confluence of Cow Creek and Leroux Creek caused a portion of County Road 3100 to wash out with localized flooding near Leroux Creek.

Thunderstorms brought an area of heavy rainfall from Hotchkiss to areas north of Cedaredge. Flash flooding impacted portions of Hotchkiss and closed a portion of Highway 65 north of Cedaredge which deposited a large amount of debris onto the road.

Highway 50 was closed in both directions at mile markers 52-58 due to flash flooding. Fast moving water flowed up to two feet deep in places across the four lanes of the highway.

A Union Pacific train trestle was washed away, including the super and sub-structure. Portions of a dirt road between Highway 50 and the train tracks in Dominguez Canyon were washed out. The flow of rapidly moving water through this area was estimated to be up to 10 feet deep and…

Over 0.75 inches of rain fell within an hour from a thunderstorm that moved between Paonia and Crawford Reservoir.

A funnel cloud was observed by several people near the Adobe Hills north of Delta.

Flash flood waters and debris crossed over Highway 50, leaving over a foot deep of mud and other debris on the road after the waters receded. Highway 50 was closed until CDOT crews were able to clear the road of debris.

Three large cottonwood trees were blown down, a roof of a hayshed was torn off and blown 200 to 300 feet from the shed, and power lines were downed along highway 92 near the intersection with County Road 3050.

Strong winds snapped off several large tree branches in the area.

A large funnel cloud formed just south of Crawford and was photographed by a person about 10 miles away in Hotchkiss.

Heavy rainfall caused street flooding in the southern part of the town of Delta, including the area around 12th and Main Street.

This wind gust was measured by the Jay RAWS at the 6200 foot level.