Debris Flow — Ouray, Colorado

2021-07-30 · near Campbird, Ouray, Colorado

Event narrative

A mudslide and flooding occurred on Red Mountain Pass as a result of heavy rains. Colorado Highway 550 was closed in both directions at the pass for a couple of hours due to cleanup operations.

Wider weather episode

The prolonged North American Monsoon pattern prevailed across western Colorado with abundant moisture present as precipitable water values trended to 170% of normal. Additionally, morning sunshine allowed the atmosphere to rapidly destabilize over the higher terrain. As a result, another round of strong thunderstorms developed and produced heavy rain which caused several mudslides across portions of west-central Colorado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.9600, -107.6600)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 965533. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.