Debris Flow — San Miguel, Colorado

2024-07-18 · near Fall Creek, San Miguel, Colorado

Event narrative

Heavy rain from slow moving thunderstorms resulted in multiple mudslides along Highway 145 between mile markers 72 and 77, south of Sawpit. There were reports of 4 mudslides between mile markers 72 and 77 on Highway 145 between 1545 and 1600 MST. One, possibly two, bigger slides occurred between mile markers 76 and 77 on Highway 145. This resulted in a closure of Highway 145 between mile markers 72 and 78 in both directions.

Wider weather episode

Deep subtropical moisture remained trapped underneath an area of high pressure, resulting in slow moving thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rainfall rates and small hail. One particular storm resulted in multiple debris flows over the Sawpit area in San Miguel County.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.0023, -108.0145)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1204552. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.