Saturday, September 27, 2014

FLOOD WATCH issued for Durango area tonight through Sunday morning

> WGUS65 KGJT 272100
> FFAGJT
>
> URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
> FLOOD WATCH
> NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
> 300 PM MDT SAT SEP 27 2014
> COZ001>003-006-007-009-011-013-017>022-280500-
> /O.NEW.KGJT.FF.A.0013.140928T0600Z-140928T1800Z/
> /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
> LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-
> ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-GRAND VALLEY-DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-
> GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
> CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN-FLATTOPS-
> UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE-
> NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-
> PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER-
> FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-
> INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RANGELY...DINOSAUR...CRAIG...HAYDEN...
> MEEKER...RIO BLANCO...GRAND JUNCTION...FRUITA...PALISADE...
> RIFLE...SILT...PARACHUTE...MESA...SKYWAY...CEDAREDGE...DELTA...
> HOTCHKISS...MONTROSE...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE...RIDGWAY...
> GLADE PARK...OURAY...TELLURIDE...LAKE CITY...SILVERTON...RICO...
> HESPERUS...GATEWAY...NUCLA...CORTEZ...DOVE CREEK...MANCOS...
> DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO
> 300 PM MDT SAT SEP 27 2014
>
> ..FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
> MORNING...
>
> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
>
> * FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL COLORADO...NORTHWEST
>   COLORADO...SOUTHWEST COLORADO AND WEST CENTRAL COLORADO...
>   INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN CENTRAL COLORADO...
>   FLATTOPS. IN NORTHWEST COLORADO...CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN
>   AND ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS. IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...
>   ANIMAS RIVER BASIN...FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER...
>   NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS...PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES
>   RIVER...SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS AND UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU
>   AND DALLAS DIVIDE. IN WEST CENTRAL COLORADO...CENTRAL GUNNISON
>   AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN...DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR...GRAND
>   VALLEY...GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS AND LOWER YAMPA RIVER
>   BASIN.
>
> * FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
>
> * SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL...LOCALLY IN EXCESS OF ONE INCH WITH
>   GREATER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE...IS EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF
>   WESTERN COLORADO LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING. STEADIER
>   MODERATE RAIN WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS BRINGING PERIODS OF
>   HEAVIER RAINFALL WILL SPREAD INTO WESTERN COLORADO LATE THIS
>   EVENING...AND THEN CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING. RAINFALL IS
>   EXPECTED TO BECOME LIGHTER AND MORE SPOTTY SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
>
> * THE FLASH FLOOD THREAT WILL BE GREATEST ACROSS SLOT CANYONS...
>   SLICK ROCK AREAS...NORMALLY DRY WASHES...SMALL STREAMS IN
>   STEEP TERRAIN AND NEAR RECENT BURN SCARS. SOME MAIN STEM
>   RIVERS WILL SEE SIGNIFICANT RISES FROM THIS PROLONGED PERIOD
>   OF RAINFALL. IN ADDITION...URBAN AREAS WITH POOR DRAINAGE WILL
>   BE AT RISK OF FLOODING AND TRAVEL WILL LIKELY BECOME DIFFICULT
>   ON BACKCOUNTRY ROADS.
>
> PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
>
> A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
> TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
>
> YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
> SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
>
> &&
>
> $$
>
> www.weather.gov/

Posted by LaPlata CO OEM at 3:51 PM 0 comments

Monday, September 22, 2014

FLOOD WATCH in effect through 9am. Slow down this morning. Watch for runoff




Tom McNamara
Sent from my tablet. Please forgive the errors. 


-------- Original message --------
From: EWARN-
Date:2014/09/22 06:19 (GMT-07:00)
To:
Subject: DENFFAGJT

WGUS65 KGJT 221218
FFAGJT

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
618 AM MDT MON SEP 22 2014

COZ019-022-023-221500-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.A.0012.000000T0000Z-140922T1500Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-
SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS...DURANGO...
BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY
618 AM MDT MON SEP 22 2014

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS
MORNING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL COLORADO AND SOUTHWEST COLORADO...
  INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN SOUTH CENTRAL COLORADO...
  SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN. IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...ANIMAS RIVER
  BASIN AND SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS.

* UNTIL 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING

* WIDESPREAD RAIN SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE
  EARLY THIS MORNING...THEN GRADUALLY DECREASE THROUGH THE DAY.
  LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE FROM THE MANCOS RIDGE
  EASTWARD THROUGH LA PLATA...ARCHULETA...SAN JUAN...AND HINSDALE
  COUNTIES.

* PORTIONS OF LA PLATA COUNTY INCLUDING DURANGO HAVE SATURATED
  SOILS FROM RECENT HEAVY RAIN. ANY SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL TONIGHT
  MAY PRODUCE RUNOFF PROBLEMS OR FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD
WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$

CJC

www.weather.gov/

Posted by LaPlata CO OEM at 6:37 AM 2 comments

Sunday, September 21, 2014

FLASH FLOOD WARNING remains in effect through 8am. Minor flooding observed in and around Durango. Drive careful

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "EWARN-" <ldad@noaa.gov>
Date: Sep 21, 2014 5:53 AM
Subject: DENFFSGJT
To:
Cc:

WGUS75 KGJT 211153
FFSGJT

FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
553 AM MDT SUN SEP 21 2014

COC007-067-211400-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.W.0021.000000T0000Z-140921T1400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LA PLATA CO-ARCHULETA CO-
553 AM MDT SUN SEP 21 2014

..THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 AM MDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN LA PLATA AND SOUTHWESTERN ARCHULETA COUNTIES...

AT 550 AM MDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED FLASH FLOODING IN
DURANGO AND NORTH OF TOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 550 DUE TO HEAVY RAIN WITH
EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS. OBSERVATIONS INDICATE 1.5 TO 2 INCHES OF
RAIN HAS ALREADY FALLEN WITHIN THE LAST 6 HOURS. WHILE THE HEAVIEST
RAIN HAS ENDED...FLOODING IS STILL POSSIBLE OR MAY STILL BE
OCCURRING.  MORE HEAVY RAIN IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON.

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...
DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...OXFORD...
VALLECITO...TRIMBLE...HERMOSA AND FALFA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE
DANGERS OF FLOODING.

&&

LAT...LON 3718 10793 3746 10796 3742 10754 3700 10745
      3700 10769

$$

MDA

www.weather.gov/

Posted by LaPlata CO OEM at 6:27 AM 0 comments

Friday, September 12, 2014

Floods in Colorado - Closer to home than you think

Many of you remember the floods that occurred across the front range last September. Mountains above Boulder and Ft Collins had upwards of 12 inches of rain! It has been a long time since La Plata County has seen flooding, but I am here to remind you; it has happened here and it will happen again. Just a few days ago we were under a Flash Flood Watch. The weather models from the National Weather Service in Grand Junction weren't clear on where the greatest impact were anticipated. Lucky for us, the rain stayed mostly west of us. Arizona and Utah got the biggest downpours which brought on the biggest impacts. Broad areas of Arizona and Utah received 3 inches in just a few (7) hours. Isolated spots measured 8" as clouds lifted against mountains and moisture was released. Precipitation caused by uplift against hills is known as orographic rainfall which is a very common phenomenon here at the foot of the Rockies.

To put this week's storm in perspective:

October 5, 1911: 

Durango's worst recorded flooding. The Animas river flowed at an estimated 25,000cfs. Areas in San Juan County at the headwaters of the Animas saw 4-8 inches over 36 hours. Durango received 3.42" Take a look at the Durango Herald article from the 100 year anniversary of the flood.

September 9, 1970: 

Durango again received over 3". This time over 4" fell over Vallecito and Lemon. Take a look at this report of that storm, It is very, very similar to this week's monsoonal storms except that in 1970 storms pushed NE into us instead of N into Utah. In 1970, the Animas was estimated at 11,600cfs, and 1,700 on the Hermosa. At the bottom of the page are some pictures from the aftermath of the 1970 storm.

Almost every year isolated storms cause flooding or debris flows somewhere: 

Animas valley, Vallecito Ck, Texas Ck, Pine River, La Plata River, Junction Ck, Lightner Ck, and Hermosa Ck. are all susceptible. Flows come from from long duration events or big downpours. We have had mud and debris flows on almost every drainage along the Animas Valley north of Durango and many others that occur from sudden cloud bursts. Debris flows are unpredictable, can change path at any time and are incredibly powerful.

If it happens today:

If we had a 1911 flood today these things would be likely:
  • Hwy 160 would be impassable at La Plata River, Animas River, Dry Creek, Florida River and Pine River at Bayfield. 
  • Hwy 550, and CR 203, 501, 213, 172, 250, 240, 204, 205, 140, 141 and others will be impassable. 
  • The Animas would come over Main St. near the intersection with Camino Del Rio.
  • Numerous roads, culverts and bridges, both public and private would be damaged or destroyed.
  • The railroad will be inundated and damaged in multiple areas.
  • Phone, internet (including most cell phones), electricity, natural gas, water and sewer systems would be damaged or incapacitated.
  • Responders and crews would likely be busy with their own family or stranded, making help and repairs difficult. 
  • Credit and bank cards won't work without phone or internet.
  • Gas pumps don't work without power.
  • Supply chains for fuel, food, propane, etc. will be delayed or cut off. 
  • Methane (gas well) gathering systems may be compromised.
  • Your water well, water treatment, city sewage, and many other water systems don't work without power (some systems luckily have generators).
  • Homes and businesses will be flooded or washed away.
  • and more...
While living in rural parts of the U.S. has many benefits, it also has drawbacks. Ranchers and outdoors-folk are more prepared for tough situations like these, however we all depend on services that are very vulnerable to natural and man made disasters. It is up to you as an individual to prepare for you, your family and your property for emergencies and disasters. Fire, EMS, Police, Sheriffs, volunteers, service providers and local government will do everything in our power to help you and to rebuild the community from whatever comes our way. Remember, we can't help everyone at once; we are all part of the community and personally impacted as well; we have limited capabilities; we have limited personnel, and we can't do everything for you.

Look around your home and your place of work.
  • What hazards threaten you? Floods, flash floods, wind, snow, fire? 
  • What in your home depends on electricity? Lights, your gas heater, water well, medical equipment, cell phone charger, community water, community sewer? 
  • What depends on internet? Land line phones, 911, cell phones (sometimes even the address book!), fuel for vehicles, ATM machines, email?
The answer is yes in most cases! This may sound scary at first, but there are ways to reduce the worry. The better you understand your surroundings and the better prepared you are, the less you have to worry about the hazards around you. 

Places to find more information:
For all and any emergency you need to have a plan. Have 3-5 days of medicine, food and water you your household. Teach your family how to find each other. Have a go kit ready in case you have to leave at a moment's notice. Protect important documents from a potential loss of your home.

1970 pictures
Junction Ck Road washout


Animas Valley flooding


Posted by tommymoto at 5:04 PM 1 comments

Monday, September 8, 2014

the NWS has placed #LaPlataCo under a FLASH FLOOD WATCH for today through Tuesday Evening

The incoming storm system has a large amount of moisture in it. We are out of the main path but will likely see significant rainfall across the region.

 

WGUS65 KGJT 081111

FFAGJT

 

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

FLOOD WATCH

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO

511 AM MDT MON SEP 8 2014

 

COZ002-004-005-008-010-012>014-019-021-022-081915-

/O.EXA.KGJT.FF.A.0011.140908T1500Z-140910T0600Z/

/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS- UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN- GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS- WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-FLATTOPS- UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS- FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CRAIG...HAYDEN...MEEKER...COLUMBINE...

TOPONAS...STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...GLENWOOD SPRINGS...

EAGLE...CARBONDALE...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS...CRESTED BUTTE...

TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE...GUNNISON...

CIMARRON...SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS...CORTEZ...DOVE CREEK...

MANCOS...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO

511 AM MDT MON SEP 8 2014

 

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...

 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS EXPANDED THE

 

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF CENTRAL COLORADO...

  NORTHWEST COLORADO...SOUTHWEST COLORADO AND WEST CENTRAL

  COLORADO...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...

 

  IN CENTRAL COLORADO...

 

  CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN AND FLATTOPS.

 

  IN NORTHWEST COLORADO...

 

  CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN...

  ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS AND

  UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN.

 

  IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...

 

  ANIMAS RIVER BASIN...

  FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER AND

  SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS.

 

  IN WEST CENTRAL COLORADO...

 

  GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS...

  UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY AND

  WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS.

 

* FROM 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING

 

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY AND

  COVERAGE TODAY...BECOMING WIDESPREAD TONIGHT AND TUESDAY.

  LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN CAN BE EXPECTED WHICH MAY RESULT IN FLASH

  FLOODING. RAINFALL RATES MAY EXCEED ONE INCH PER HOUR UNDER

  THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS.

 

* THIS PROLONGED PERIOD OF RAINFALL MAY CAUSE SOME ROCK SLIDES

  OR DEBRIS FLOWS NEAR STEEP TERRAIN. LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING

  MAY OCCUR NEAR WILDFIRE BURN SCARS...SLOT CANYONS...SLICK ROCK

  AREAS...NORMALLY DRY CREEKS...STREAMS AND ARROYOS. HEAVY RAIN

  COULD CAUSE A SUDDEN INCREASE IN WATER FLOWS.

 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

 

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

 

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

 

&&

 

www.weather.gov/

Posted by LaPlata CO OEM at 8:46 AM 2 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)