Debris Flow — Mesa, Colorado

2014-05-25 · near Plateau City, Mesa, Colorado

Direct deaths

$25K

Property damage

Event narrative

A landslide consisting of about 30 million cubic meters of rock and soil broke loose from the side of the Grand Mesa near the 10,000 foot level and traveled nearly 3 miles down the West Salt Creek drainage. Three ranchers were apparently buried by the landslide which deposited debris over 100 feet deep along the slide path. This was one of the largest landslides ever documented in the United States. This landslide occurred during the period of peak snowmelt and just after heavy rainfall occurred in the area. Radar estimates and nearby rain gauge measurements for the 36 hour period prior to the landslide were around one inch.

Wider weather episode

During the peak of snowmelt on the Grand Mesa was a period of heavy rainfall which may have combined to precipitate a massive landslide on the north side of the Grand Mesa.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.1653, -107.8436)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 524482. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.