Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2020

Flash Flood Warning 21, NWS Pueblo, CO

July 4, 2020Bent County, Crowley County, Otero County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 4, 2020, 6:02 PM MDT for Bent County, Crowley County, Otero 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 4, 2020, 6:02 PM MDT (00:02 UTC)
Expired
Jul 4, 2020, 9:00 PM MDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Bent County, CO, Crowley County, CO, Otero County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:01 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 4, 7:19 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD1 Wnw La Junta, CO2.5 TO 3 FEET OF WATER FLOODED HWY 50 CLOSING ROAD AT RAILROAD OVERPASS.

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, 0.0 hours before the alert went out and 196 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 2020-07-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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 2020-07-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 79 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2383 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
79 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
234 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

444 
WGUS55 KPUB 050002
FFWPUB
COC011-025-089-050300-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0021.200705T0002Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
602 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Otero County in southeastern Colorado...
  Southern Crowley County in southeastern Colorado...
  Northwestern Bent County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 900 PM MDT.

* At 559 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms rapidly 
  developing from Fowler to Las Animas. Short range computer 
  simulations indicate that these storms will continue to intensify 
  and produce local amounts of 2 to 3 inches of rain through 7:30 
  pm. This heavy rain will likely produce flash flooding along the 
  highway 50 corridor from Fowler to Las Animas. 

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other 
           drainage and low lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  La Junta, North La Junta, Rocky Ford, Las Animas, Fowler, Ordway,
  Swink, Manzanola, Olney Springs, Sugar City, Cheraw, Crowley, John
  Martin Reservoir, Blue Lake and Fort Lyon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

Hodanish
5 follow-up statements
734 
WGUS75 KPUB 050049
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
649 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

COC011-025-089-050300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Otero CO-Crowley CO-Bent CO-
649 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL OTERO...SOUTHERN CROWLEY AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES...

At 645 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing very 
intense rainfall across the warned area. Up to one inch of rain has 
already fallen. Very intense rainfall was occurring from Swink to La 
Junta. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. 

Travel along highway 50 will be hazardous. Low water crossings along 
the highway 50 corridor will likely flood.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage 
         and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
La Junta, North La Junta, Rocky Ford, Las Animas, Fowler, Ordway,
Swink, Manzanola, Olney Springs, Sugar City, Cheraw, Crowley, John
Martin Reservoir, Blue Lake and Fort Lyon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Hodanish
996 
WGUS75 KPUB 050101
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
701 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

COC011-025-089-050300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Otero CO-Crowley CO-Bent CO-
701 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL OTERO...SOUTHERN CROWLEY AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES...

At 659 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated between 2 to 3 inches of rain 
has fallen between 6:00 pm and 6:59 pm in areas between La Junta and 
Swink. Flash flooding is likely occurring aling the highway 50 
corridro in this area. DO NOT DRIVE WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY! 

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage 
         and low lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
La Junta, North La Junta, Rocky Ford, Las Animas, Fowler, Ordway,
Swink, Manzanola, Olney Springs, Sugar City, Cheraw, Crowley, John
Martin Reservoir, Blue Lake and Fort Lyon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

Hodanish
494 
WGUS75 KPUB 050124
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
724 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

COC011-025-089-050300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Otero CO-Crowley CO-Bent CO-
724 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL OTERO...SOUTHERN CROWLEY AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES...

At 719 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated the heavy rain has 
significantly decreased between Fowler and Rocky Ford, but was still 
occurring from Rocky Ford eastward to Las Animas. Some areas along 
the highway 50 corridor, especially between Swink and La Junta, 
likely received between 2 and 3 inches of rain between 6:00 pm and 
7:30 pm. Flooding is likely occurring over highway 50, especially in 
and around the La Junta area. 

This heavy rain will continue to push east and affect areas from Las 
Animas eastward to the Kansas border later this evening. 

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, 
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage 
         and low lying areas.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-2 INCHES IN 1 
HOUR, especially areas from Rocky Ford eastward to Las Animas. 

$$

Hodanish
811 
WGUS75 KPUB 050135
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
735 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

COC011-025-089-050300-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Otero CO-Crowley CO-Bent CO-
735 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL OTERO...SOUTHERN CROWLEY AND NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES...

At 732 PM MDT, La Junta Department of Public Safety reported street 
flooding way occurring in throughout La Junta and Rocky Ford. The 
flooding was reported as unusual. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles. Heavy rain was still occurring from Rocky 
Ford east to Las Animas. 

&&

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED


$$

Hodanish
853 
WGUS75 KPUB 050300
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
900 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

COC011-025-089-050308-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-200705T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Otero CO-Crowley CO-Bent CO-
900 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2020

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL OTERO...SOUTHERN CROWLEY AND
NORTHWESTERN BENT COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 900 PM MDT...

Steady light to occasionally moderate rain will end from west to 
east through the remainder of the evening hours. Local areas of 
ponding water are likely still occurring over the warned area, 
especially along county roadways. 

LAT...LON 3825 10300 3793 10303 3790 10403 3826 10404

$$

Hodanish

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pueblo, CO issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 4, 6:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBOtero39 min
Jul 4, 6:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCrowley35 min
Jul 4, 6:40 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBLas Animas35 min
Jul 4, 6:43 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBent, Otero32 min
Jul 4, 6:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCrowley31 min
Jul 4, 7:33 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBent27 min
Jul 4, 8:07 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBent23 min
Jul 4, 8:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBProwers44 min
Jul 4, 8:55 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca50 min
Jul 4, 9:18 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBProwers42 min
Jul 5, 12:41 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBChaffee34 min
Jul 5, 4:04 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster41 min
Jul 5, 5:29 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBTeller31 min
Jul 5, 5:57 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso33 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2020Every flash flood warning in 2020

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.