Flash Flood — San Juan, Colorado

2011-08-02 · near Elk Park, San Juan, Colorado

Event narrative

A major flash flood roared down from the west slope of the Animas River Valley across the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and into the Animas River. The flash flood deposited mud, boulders, and pine trees up to 15 feet deep onto a 300 foot section of railroad tracks. The Animas River was also clogged from the debris. It took 6 days for crews to clear the debris and repair the railroad tracks before the railroad could reopen.

Wider weather episode

Deep subtropical moisture in a light southwest flow aloft resulted in some thunderstorms with heavy rainfall in southwest Colorado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.6595, -107.6959)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 331568. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.