Debris Flow — Pitkin, Colorado

2021-07-22 · near Redstone, Pitkin, Colorado

Event narrative

Heavy rains resulted in a debris flow of mud, branches and rocks across Avalanche Creek Road. The road remained closed and impassable overnight before reopening the next morning.

Wider weather episode

Even with high pressure centered over the region, deep monsoonal moisture continued to advect into western Colorado. In addition to the well above normal precipitable water values across the area, the passage of a subtle shortwave trough resulted in the development of widespread showers and thunderstorms. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to debris flows including across portions of the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.2480, -107.2170)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 965332. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.