Flash Flood in El Paso County, Colorado

Very heavy rainfall of around 1.5 inches (with rainfall rates up to 5 inches per hour) occurred across the Waldo and Williams Canyon watersheds, producing flooding on US Highway 24 and in Manitou Springs. Flash flooding occurred from Cascade to Waldo Canyon along US Highway 24. Water and debris over three feet deep from Waldo Canyon stranded 40 vehicles in the westbound lanes, with several sent racing down a drainage onto the westbound entrance ramp from Manitou Springs. Business 24 out of Manitou Springs was severely damaged and will be closed until further notice. One man drowned in the debris flow near the mouth of Waldo Canyon. In Manitou Springs there was major flooding from Williams Creek. Several structures near and on Canon Avenue and Manitou Avenue, including the Spa Building and Arcade experienced deep water, mud, and debris flows. Fountain Creek overflowed, flooding many businesses. Forty vehicles were damaged or destroyed. There were no fatalities in Manitou Springs, although there were two water rescues along Fountain Creek. In Fremont County, water flowed deeper than six inches across US Highway 50 on the Parkdale hill.