Debris Flow — Pitkin, Colorado

2021-07-20 · near Redstone, Pitkin, Colorado

Event narrative

Mudslides occurred on Colorado Highway 133 at Redstone Boulevard, 9 miles north of McClure Pass near mile marker 55. The highway was closed in both directions for almost twelve hours due to cleanup operations.

Wider weather episode

Monsoonal moisture pushed northward across western Colorado as the ridge of high pressure tilted eastward. As a result, precipitable water values exceeded an inch over the southern and central zones. Given the increase in midlevel moisture, scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developed over the region. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to localized debris flows including across portions of the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.2047, -107.2313)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 961536. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.