Flash Flood in Colorado, July 31, 1999

Heavy rains resulted in widespread flash flooding, mudslides, and turned Leopard Creek into a raging torrent which overflowed its banks and washed across State Highway 62, undercutting the roadbed. Eyewitnesses reported trash cans, canoes, trees, and other debris floating down the swollen San Miguel River which parallels State Highway 145. The flash floods and mudslides filled up the lower floors of some houses up to 4 feet deep, tore down fences, washed out driveways, washed away elevated gasoline and propane tanks, and floated some vehicles. In addition to the mudslides and rockslides on State Highways 62 and 145, eight county roads were damaged; ten mudslides occurred on Fall Creek Road, three mudslides covered South Fork Road above Ames, and additional mudslides were reported at Silver Pick, Sawpit Hill, Ophir Pass, Tomboy Road, and on Deep Creek Road. Flood damage occurred in the communities of Fall Creek, Placerville, and Sawpit. Pea-sized hail accumulated up to 8 inches deep on State Highway 62 atop Dallas Divide.