Flash Flood — Costilla, Colorado

2019-07-24 · near La Veta Pass, Costilla, Colorado

Event narrative

Costilla County Emergency Manager reported some of the railroad tracks for the Rio Grande Scenic Rail Road have been washed out near Fir.

Wider weather episode

During the afternoon hours of July 24th, a few strong thunderstorms developed on the west side of the Sange de Cristo Mountains in Costilla County. This activity moved up the western slope of the range and began to heavily rain along the north and central portions of the Spring burn scar, spreading into Huerfano County. Wagon Creek, South Abeyta Creek, and Middle Creek were hit the hardest with washed out train tracks, and impacted roadways leaving La Veta.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.4900, -105.1800)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 848170. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.