Debris Flow — Plumas, California

2022-06-12 · near Belden, Plumas, California

Event narrative

The Plumas County Sheriff reported that there were two rock/mud slides and/or debris flows on Hwy 70 one mile west of Belden and near Rogers Flat in the Dixie Fire Burn Scar, with vehicles trapped between the slides. The occupants were rescued, however their vehicles remained temporarily stranded in the area with the road closed for several days. Rain gauge reports from 0.50 to 1.00 inches over a 2 hour period from 12 pm to 2 pm.

Wider weather episode

Upper level troughing brought seasonably wet weather with thunderstorms to interior Northern California. A debris flow due to heavy rain was observed in the Dixie Fire burn scar on Hwy 70 in the northern Sierra as well as a record daily rainfall report of 0.47 inches that was set at the Red Bluff Airport.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.9723, -121.3373)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1038912. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.