Flash Flood — Chaffee, Colorado

2002-07-22 · near Buena Vista, Chaffee, Colorado

Wider weather episode

Intense rainfall and hail due to slow moving thunderstorms fell on steep slopes composed of loose soil and rock. The worst rock and landslides in decades occurred on county road 306, which is in the Cottonwood Creek drainage north of Mt. Princeton. The debris on county road 306 was one mile long and over 10 feet deep in spots. An elderly couple was swept to the side of county road 306, and mud and rock flowed into their van. They suffered hypothermia and abrasions and bruises. County road 306 was closed for clean up for two weeks. County road 162, in the Chalk Creek drainage south of Mt. Princeton also experienced several mud and rock flows.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5309353. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.