Flash Flood — Dolores, Colorado

2013-09-22 to 2013-09-23 · near Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado

Event narrative

Coal Bed Creek was out of its banks. Mud and debris also flowed underneath Highway 491 through a sixteen foot diameter culvert that was 3/4 full.

Wider weather episode

A negatively tilted upper trough and associated cold front swung across the 4 Corners region and incorporated monsoonal moisture to produce strong thunderstorms with large hail and heavy rainfall across southwest Colorado. The runoff from this rainfall caused flash flooding in many areas, including locations around Durango. Hail damage to personal property in La Plata County was estimated to be at least two million dollars.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.8400, -109.0000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 519593. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.