Debris Flow — Archuleta, Colorado

2018-07-17 · near Chimney Rock, Archuleta, Colorado

Event narrative

A mudslide occurred along Colorado Highway 160 at mile marker 124 as a result of heavy rain. Vehicles were stuck in deep mud with traffic backed up on either side of the highway. The highway was closed in both directions for almost 4 hours with about 100 vehicles backed up on either side of the mudslide area. Radar estimates showed half an inch to an inch of rainfall within an hour in that area.

Wider weather episode

Subtropical moisture trapped underneath a ridge of high pressure produced some thunderstorms with heavy rainfall in Archuleta and Montezuma counties. Debris flows and minor road flooding occurred as a result.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.2061, -107.3099)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 766085. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.