Colorado, 1997

Flash Flooding and Lightning Strike in Colorado, July 29 to 30, 1997

July 29 to 30, 1997 · NWS BOU · 3 events in 2 counties and zones

2 flash flood, 1 lightning, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 3 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$105,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

The radar

The Denver radar (KFTG), 23 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:26 UTC.

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Event by event

2 flash flood, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Arapahoe

When
July 29, 10:25 PM MST to July 30, 12:20 AM MST
Where
Arapahoe County, 18 mi SE of (Bkf)buckley Fld Nas
Property damage
$30,000
Coordinates
39.650, -104.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy rain caused flooding and flash flooding problems in central portions of Adams and Arapahoe Counties. Two home were extensively damaged when water flooded their basements and adjacent pasture area in Strasburg. Highwaters, 4 to 5 feet deep, had pooled in the lower lying areas of town. In addition, Quincy Road had to be blocked off between County Roads 129 and 137 in Arapahoe County. Up to 4 feet of water reportedly covered the roadway.

Flash Flood, Adams

When
July 29, 10:25 PM MST to July 30, 12:20 AM MST
Where
Adams County, Strasburg
Coordinates
39.874, -104.338 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning, Arapahoe

When
July 30, 9:00 PM MST
Where
Arapahoe County, 9 mi E of (Bkf)buckley Fld Nas
Property damage
$75,000
Coordinates
39.650, -104.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning struck a home in unincorporated Arapahoe County. The fire started in the electrical panel boxes causing extensive damage to the home.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Colorado in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, July 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5607520, 5607521, 5607519.