Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2011

Flash Flood Warning 7, NWS Denver/Boulder, CO

July 7, 2011Boulder County, Colorado

NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 7, 2011, 6:18 PM MDT for Boulder County, Colorado. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 7, 2011, 6:18 PM MDT (00:18 UTC)
Expired
Jul 7, 2011, 9:15 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Denver/Boulder, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Boulder County, CO

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 76 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:18 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 7, 7:00 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD2 Sse Gold Hill, COLARGE DEBRIS FLOWS ON FOURMILE CANYON DRIVE, WEST OF WALLSTREET. BIGGEST FLOW WAS WEST OF EMERSON GULCH,100 YARDS WIDE AND FOUR FEET DEEP.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Denver, CO (KDNR), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 183 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2011-07-08Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 259 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Denver, CO at 00:00Z on 2011-07-08The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 58 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
259 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-60 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1195 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

224 
WGUS55 KBOU 080018
FFWBOU
COC013-080315-
/O.NEW.KBOU.FF.W.0007.110708T0018Z-110708T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
618 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DENVER HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL BOULDER COUNTY IN NORTHEAST COLORADO

* UNTIL 915 PM MDT

* AT 618 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
  VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER SUNSHINE...OR 32 MILES
  NORTHWEST OF DENVER. THIS STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 10 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  WALLSTREET...SUNSHINE...SUMMERVILLE...SALINA...CRISMAN AND GOLD    
  HILL...4 MILE BURN SCAR.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE. TURN AROUND...DO NOT DROWN.

THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE
EXTENSIVE AND SEVERE FLASH FLOODING OF CREEKS...STREAMS...AND DITCHES
IN THE FOURMILE BURN AREA. SOME DRAINAGE BASINS IMPACTED INCLUDE
FOURMILE CREEK...GOLD RUN...AND FOURMILE CANYON CREEK. SEVERE DEBRIS
FLOWS CAN ALSO BE ANTICIPATED ACROSS ROADS. ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS MAY
BE WASHED AWAY IN PLACES. IF YOU ENCOUNTER FLOOD WATERS...CLIMB TO
SAFETY.

&&

LAT...LON 4003 10541 4007 10540 4009 10529 4003 10530

$$
3 follow-up statements
743 
WGUS75 KBOU 080052
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
652 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

COC013-080315-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0007.000000T0000Z-110708T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BOULDER CO-
652 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL BOULDER COUNTY...

AT 648 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY
HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM NEAR SUMMERVILLE...OR ABOUT 32 MILES
NORTHWEST OF DENVER. THIS STORM WAS MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WALLSTREET...SUNSHINE...SUMMERVILLE...SALINA...CRISMAN AND
NORTHWESTERN BOULDER.

AFTER A BRIEF RESPITE OF RAINFALL OVER THE EASTERN SECTIONS OF THE 
FOUR MILE BURN AREA...ANOTHER ROUND OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING 
OVER THE FOUR MILE BURN SCAR THROUGH 8 PM. RAINFALL RATES COULD BE 
UP TO A HALF INCH IN 15 MINUTES.

SPOTTERS WITHIN THE BURN AREA REPORTED RAINFALL ABOUT HALF INCH OF 
RAIN IN 20 MINUTES...HOWEVER NO FLOODING WAS REPORTED. WITH 
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL ON THE WAY THE THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING IS STILL 
VERY HIGH.  

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE
EXTENSIVE AND SEVERE FLASH FLOODING OF CREEKS...STREAMS...AND DITCHES
IN THE FOURMILE BURN AREA. SOME DRAINAGE BASINS IMPACTED INCLUDE
FOURMILE CREEK...GOLD RUN...AND FOURMILE CANYON CREEK. SEVERE DEBRIS
FLOWS CAN ALSO BE ANTICIPATED ACROSS ROADS. ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS MAY
BE WASHED AWAY IN PLACES. IF YOU ENCOUNTER FLOOD WATERS...CLIMB TO
SAFETY.

&&

LAT...LON 4003 10541 4007 10540 4009 10529 4003 10530

$$
873 
WGUS75 KBOU 080132
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
732 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

COC013-080315-
/O.CON.KBOU.FF.W.0007.000000T0000Z-110708T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BOULDER CO-
732 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 915 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL BOULDER COUNTY...

THE HEAVIEST RAIN HAS ENDED OVER THE FOUR MILE BURN AREA WITH ONLY 
LIGHT TO MODERATE RAINFALL REMAINING OVER THE BURN. ADDITIONAL 
RAINFALL WILL BE UP TO A QUARTER INCH IN ONE HOUR WITH ADDITIONAL 
LIGHTER RAIN SHOWERS EXPECTED THROUGH MIDNIGHT. 

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED 2 FEET OF DEBRIS AT 4 MILE  
AND EMERSON ROAD. A MUD SLIDE WAS ALSO REPORTED AT THE 8000 MILE 
MARKER ON FOUR MILE ROAD...WHICH WAS 100 YARDS WIDE AND FOUR FEET 
DEEP WITH DEBRIS. 

LOCATIONS REMAINING IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
WALLSTREET...SUNSHINE...SUMMERVILLE...SALINA AND CRISMAN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF CREEKS...STREAMS...AND
DITCHES IN THE FOURMILE BURN AREA. SOME DRAINAGE BASINS AFFECTED BY
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF INCLUDE FOURMILE CREEK...GOLD RUN...AND FOURMILE
CANYON CREEK. WATER WILL BE FLOWING DOWN ROADWAYS. ROCK SLIDES OR
DEBRIS FLOWS CAN ALSO BE EXPECTED.

&&

LAT...LON 4003 10541 4007 10540 4009 10529 4003 10530

$$
035 
WGUS75 KBOU 080317
FFSBOU

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DENVER CO
917 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

COC013-080323-
/O.EXP.KBOU.FF.W.0007.000000T0000Z-110708T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BOULDER CO-
917 PM MDT THU JUL 7 2011

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 915 PM MDT FOR CENTRAL
BOULDER COUNTY...

BOULDER COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED NO ADDITONAL FLASH 
FLOODING OVER THE 4 MILE BURN SCAR...BUT ARE STILL WORKING ON DEBRIS 
FLOWS ON FOUR MILE ROAD. 

FLOOD WATERS HAVE SUBSIDED AND FLASH FLOODING IS NO LONGER EXPECTED. 
THERE ARE STILL SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT MAY 
MOVE INTO PORTIONS OF THE FOUR MILE BURN THROUGH MIDNIGHT...BUT 
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL RATES ARE EXPECTED TO BE UP TO A THIRD OF AN 
INCH OR LESS THAN AN HOUR. 

LAT...LON 4003 10541 4007 10540 4009 10529 4003 10530

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Denver/Boulder, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 7, 6:07 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUBoulder, Gilpin, Jefferson83 min
Jul 7, 6:27 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUBoulder, Gilpin, Jefferson3 hr
Jul 7, 6:35 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOULarimer85 min
Jul 7, 7:28 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUBoulder2 hr
Jul 7, 7:38 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver2 hr
Jul 7, 8:02 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningBOUClear Creek, Gilpin97 min
Jul 7, 10:05 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver4 hr
Jul 7, 10:27 PM MDTRiver Flood AdvisoryBOUAdams14 hr
Jul 8, 1:21 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson39 min
Jul 8, 1:46 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Denver44 min
Jul 8, 2:07 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUAdams, Arapahoe, Denver34 min
Jul 8, 4:11 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert, Lincoln49 min
Jul 8, 4:39 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULarimer, Weld24 min
Jul 8, 4:57 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOULincoln16 min
Jul 8, 5:11 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOUElbert21 min
Jul 8, 5:20 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisoryBOUSummit4 days

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2011Every flash flood warning in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.