Debris Flow — San Miguel, Colorado

2024-07-16 · near Fall Creek, San Miguel, Colorado

Event narrative

Heavy rainfall rates from a strong thunderstorm caused a mudslide to occur near Sawpit along Highway 145 between mile markers 76 and 80. This mudslide resulted in a closure of Highway 145 in both directions.

Wider weather episode

High pressure began to retrograde to the west towards Arizona with drier air moving in from the north, keeping the subtropical moisture in place for areas south of Interstate 70. Enough moisture remained in addition to a shortwave moving through the flow to allow for a few strong storms still capable of moderate to heavy rainfall rates, that produced some localized flash flooding and mudslides in areas of steep terrain.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.0008, -108.0188)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1204520. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.