Alert archive / Colorado / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 97, NWS Pueblo, CO

July 31, 2021Huerfano County, Colorado

NWS Pueblo, CO issued this flash flood warning at Jul 31, 2021, 4:46 PM MDT for Huerfano County, Colorado. It was in force for 4 hr. 3 reports 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 31, 2021, 4:46 PM MDT (22:46 UTC)
Expired
Jul 31, 2021, 8:45 PM MDT
In force
4 hr
Issued by
NWS Pueblo, CO
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

County Huerfano County, CO

The radar

The Pueblo radar (KPUX), 141 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:50 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 31, 5:30 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nne Cuchara, COHIGHWAY 12 CLOSED AT BIG BRANCH CREEK FOR WATER AND DEBRIS OVER THE ROAD.
Jul 31, 7:07 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD2 Nne Cuchara, COFLASH FLOODING OVER HIGHWAY 12. ROAD CLOSED. TIME TO RE-OPEN IS CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.
Jul 31, 7:09 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD5 Sw La Veta, COROAD 421 OVERTOPPED FOR HUNDREDS OF YARDS.

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

The nearest sounding before it

Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM (KABQ), launched 12:00Z, 10.8 hours before the alert went out and 296 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, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2021-07-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 41 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, Albuquerq/Krtlnd, NM at 12:00Z on 2021-07-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -26 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
41 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-138 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
2215 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-26 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
45 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

326 
WGUS55 KPUB 312246
FFWPUB
COC055-010145-
/O.NEW.KPUB.FF.W.0097.210731T2246Z-210801T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
446 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Huerfano County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 745 PM MDT.

* At 446 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain 
  has fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the Indian Creek, south Middle Creek, and Big Branch 
Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Indian Creek on the southeastern Spring Burn Scar, southern Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county and southeastern 
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek and County Road 421 near Indian 
Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3746 10516 3748 10516 3750 10504 3747 10501
      3739 10507 3739 10513 3740 10514 3740 10513
      3741 10513 3741 10514 3742 10514 3743 10514
      3744 10515

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

KS
3 follow-up statements
284 
WGUS75 KPUB 010051
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
651 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

COC055-010145-
/O.CON.KPUB.FF.W.0097.000000T0000Z-210801T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-
651 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTY...

At 651 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has 
fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the Indian Creek, south Middle Creek, and Big Branch 
Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
         urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Indian Creek on the southeastern Spring Burn Scar, southern Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county and southeastern 
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek and County Road 421 near Indian 
Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3746 10516 3748 10516 3750 10504 3747 10501
      3739 10507 3739 10513 3740 10514 3740 10513
      3741 10513 3741 10514 3742 10514 3743 10514
      3744 10515

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

KS
314 
WGUS55 KPUB 010136
FFWPUB
COC055-010245-
/O.EXT.KPUB.FF.W.0097.000000T0000Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
736 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  South Central Huerfano County in southeastern Colorado...

* Until 845 PM MDT.

* At 736 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly. Highway 12 near Big Branch Creek is closed due to burn 
  scar flash flood debris.

Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow 
moving through the Indian Creek, south Middle Creek, and Big Branch 
Creek. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and 
other loose materials.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Indian Creek on the southeastern Spring Burn Scar, southern Spring 
  Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Huerfano county and southeastern 
  Spring Burn Scar south of Highway 160 in Costilla county.

This includes the following high risk locations...
Sulphur Springs on Indian Creek and County Road 421 near Indian 
Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3746 10516 3748 10516 3750 10504 3747 10501
      3739 10507 3739 10513 3740 10514 3740 10513
      3741 10513 3741 10514 3742 10514 3743 10514
      3744 10515

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

KS
438 
WGUS75 KPUB 010240
FFSPUB

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
840 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

COC055-010250-
/O.EXP.KPUB.FF.W.0097.000000T0000Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Huerfano CO-
840 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 845 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR 
SOUTH CENTRAL HUERFANO COUNTY...

Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no 
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining 
road closures. Highway 12 has reopened. Through collaboration with 
EMs we are going to allow this warning to expire.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 100 AM MDT for portions 
of central Colorado, east central Colorado, south central Colorado 
and southeast Colorado.

LAT...LON 3746 10516 3748 10516 3750 10504 3747 10501
      3739 10507 3739 10513 3740 10514 3740 10513
      3741 10513 3741 10514 3742 10514 3743 10514
      3744 10515

$$

KS

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 30, 6:13 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBDouglas17 min
Jul 31, 12:57 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCostilla63 min
Jul 31, 1:12 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster33 min
Jul 31, 1:39 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBFremont3 hr
Jul 31, 1:56 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBCuster49 min
Jul 31, 1:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBChaffee46 min
Jul 31, 2:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBChaffee44 min
Jul 31, 2:12 PM MDTRiver Flood WatchPUBPueblo18 hr
Jul 31, 2:12 PM MDTRiver Flood WatchPUBPueblo15 hr
Jul 31, 2:12 PM MDTRiver Flood WatchPUBPueblo13 hr
Jul 31, 2:13 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBConejos32 min
Jul 31, 2:36 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBChaffee3 hr
Jul 31, 2:38 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBCuster118 min
Jul 31, 2:48 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBChaffee3 hr
Jul 31, 3:11 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBConejos34 min
Jul 31, 3:22 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBSaguache38 min
Jul 31, 3:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBAlamosa35 min
Jul 31, 3:30 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBRio Grande45 min
Jul 31, 3:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBLas Animas36 min
Jul 31, 3:43 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca32 min
Jul 31, 3:56 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBHuerfano49 min
Jul 31, 4:05 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBEl Paso25 min
Jul 31, 4:31 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBEl Paso3 hr
Jul 31, 4:50 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBCuster, Pueblo3 hr
Jul 31, 4:59 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca31 min
Jul 31, 5:03 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBCuster, Huerfano, Pueblo3 hr
Jul 31, 5:13 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBCostilla, Huerfano4 hr
Jul 31, 5:28 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca32 min
Jul 31, 5:29 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca46 min
Jul 31, 5:35 PM MDTFlash Flood WarningPUBEl Paso3 hr
Jul 31, 5:43 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatPUBCostilla, Huerfano3 hr
Jul 31, 5:45 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementPUBBaca30 min
Jul 31, 5:55 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningPUBBaca35 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Colorado, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

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.