FREEZE WATCH for La Plata County Valleys Friday night through Saturday Morning

COLD TEMPS forecast for Friday Night - Protect crops and watch for freezing water lines!
Winds will be increasing through tonight especially on the Western side of the County.

COZ002-008-022-023-261845-
/O.NEW.KGJT.FZ.A.0010.130928T0700Z-130928T1500Z/
CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN-
ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CRAIG...HAYDEN...MEEKER...
GLENWOOD SPRINGS...EAGLE...CARBONDALE...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...
IGNACIO...PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY
433 AM MDT THU SEP 26 2013

..FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A
FREEZE WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING.

* TIMING...LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH 9 AM SATURDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURE...UPPER 20S TO NEAR 30.

* IMPACTS...BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES MAY RESULT IN A SEASON
ENDING FREEZE FOR TENDER VEGETATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZE WATCH MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

&&

$$

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Western #laplataco and Durango. Major storm moving in fromSW corner towards Durango

-------- Original message --------
From: EWARN- <ldad@noaa.gov>
Date: 2013/09/22 13:23 (GMT-07:00)
To:
Subject: DENSVRGJT

WUUS55 KGJT 221916
SVRGJT
COC067-083-222000-
/O.NEW.KGJT.SV.W.0027.130922T1916Z-130922T2000Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
116 PM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
  WESTERN LA PLATA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...
  SOUTHEASTERN MONTEZUMA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...

* UNTIL 200 PM MDT

* AT 111 PM MDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 26 MILES SOUTH OF
  CORTEZ...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

  HAZARD...HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

  SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.

  IMPACT...HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO
           ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF
  SOUTHEASTERN MONTEZUMA AND WESTERN LA PLATA COUNTIES...INCLUDING
  THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK...MAY DAY...AND
  LA PLATA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
BUILDING.

THIS THUNDERSTORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ALL TYPES OF SEVERE
WEATHER...INCLUDING EXTREMELY LARGE HAIL...DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS AND TORNADOES. MOVE QUICKLY TO A SAFE SHELTER...SUCH AS IN AN
INTERIOR ROOM...A BATHROOM OR CLOSET...OR BASEMENT.

&&

LAT...LON 3700 10866 3754 10820 3735 10775 3699 10822
      3699 10865
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 225DEG 43KT 3701 10846

HAIL...1.25IN
WIND...60MPH

$$

DP






www.weather.gov/

FLASH FLOOD WARNING issued for laplata county. C.R. 250 flooded. Storms to continue throughout today.

Sent from Samsung tablet

-------- Original message --------
From: EWARN- <ldad@noaa.gov>
Date: 09/22/2013 12:26 PM (GMT-07:00)
To:
Subject: DENFFWGJT

WGUS55 KGJT 221823
FFWGJT
COC067-230030-
/O.NEW.KGJT.FF.W.0053.130922T1823Z-130923T0030Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1223 PM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL LA PLATA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...

* UNTIL 630 PM MDT

* AT 1221 PM MDT...LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED    
  FLASH FLOODING ALONG COUNTY ROAD 250 WHERE HEAVY RAINFALL AND     
  MUDSLIDES RECENTLY OCCURRED. RESIDENTS IN THIS AREA AND NEAR THE   
  FLORIDA RIVER AREA SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR RUNOFF AND DEBRIS FLOWS
  THIS AFTERNOON. ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL ARE
  LIKELY OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS WHICH WILL ALLOW WATER TO QUICKLY
  RUNOFF. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

&&

LAT...LON 3736 10778 3728 10780 3728 10786 3736 10783

$$
15






www.weather.gov/

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT strong storms today bring chance for hail, flood, debris flows. High wind especially in the high country

-------- Original message --------
From: EWARN- <ldad@noaa.gov>
Date: 09/22/2013 5:00 AM (GMT-07:00)
To:
Subject: DENSPSGJT


WWUS85 KGJT 221100
SPSGJT

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
500 AM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-222300-
LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-
UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-GRAND VALLEY-DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-
CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN-GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN-
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-FLATTOPS-
UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-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-
SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-SOUTHEAST UTAH-EASTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS-
EASTERN UINTA BASIN-TAVAPUTS PLATEAU-ARCHES/GRAND FLAT-
LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS-CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RANGELY...DINOSAUR...CRAIG...HAYDEN...
MEEKER...RIO BLANCO...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...GRAND JUNCTION...FRUITA...
PALISADE...RIFLE...SILT...PARACHUTE...MESA...GLENWOOD SPRINGS...
EAGLE...CARBONDALE...SKYWAY...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS...
CEDAREDGE...DELTA...HOTCHKISS...MONTROSE...CRESTED BUTTE...
TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE...GUNNISON...
CIMARRON...RIDGWAY...GLADE PARK...OURAY...TELLURIDE...LAKE CITY...
SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS...GATEWAY...NUCLA...CORTEZ...
DOVE CREEK...MANCOS...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...
PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BLANDING...BLUFF...MEXICAN HAT...
MANILA...DUTCH JOHN...VERNAL...JENSEN...BALLARD...FORT DUCHESNE...
RANDLETT...MOAB...CASTLE VALLEY...THOMPSON SPRINGS...
MONTICELLO AND VICINITY
500 AM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

..A POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM BRINGS THE THREAT OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS AND FLASH FLOODING...FOLLOWED BY SLUSHY SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES LATE TONIGHT...

SHOWERS WILL BECOME FREQUENT TODAY WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS...
SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL BE STRONG. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS EXISTS FOR SOUTHEAST UTAH AND SOUTHWEST COLORADO. SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS ARE DEFINED AS HAIL OF 1 INCH OR LARGER AND WIND
GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR HIGHER.

THE THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING ALSO EXISTS FOR SOUTHEAST UTAH AND
SOUTHWEST COLORADO WHERE GROUND CONDITIONS HAVE REMAINED MOIST.
NOT MUCH RAINFALL IS REQUIRED FOR SATURATED CONDITIONS. THE
ENVIRONMENT IS FAVORABLE FOR BANDS OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS AND
SIGNIFICANT HAIL ACCUMULATIONS. THE COMBINATION OF HEAVY RAIN
SHOWERS AND HAIL INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF EXCESS RUNOFF.

THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS EXPECTED ACROSS MONTEZUMA AND LA PLATA
COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...THE THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING FOR
THESE TWO COUNTIES IS ELEVATED AND RESIDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED
TO TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY. IF YOU LIVE OR PLAN TO BE IN AN AREA
THAT IS PRONE TO FLASH FLOODING OR MUD DEBRIS FLOWS...IT MAY BE
NECESSARY TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.

FOR THE MOUNTAIN PASSES OF WESTERN COLORADO...SNOW LEVELS WILL
LOWER TO AROUND 9500 FEET LATE THIS EVENING. LIGHT SLUSH
ACCUMULATIONS MAY OCCUR ABOVE 9500 FEET TONIGHT.

THE MOUNTAIN PASSES ARE NOT THE ONLY LOCATIONS THAT WILL BE PRONE
TO ICE ACCUMULATIONS. MOTORISTS MAY ENCOUNTER ICY CONDITIONS FROM
HAILSTORMS...WHICH WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH STRONG OR SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

ACTIVE AND HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED THROUGH THIS EVENING.
PEOPLE PLANNING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR WET
WEATHER AND VARIOUS WEATHER HAZARDS THAT INCLUDE THE THREAT OF
HAIL...STRONG WINDS...FLASH FLOODING...AND SNOW ABOVE 9500 FEET
TONIGHT.


$$





www.weather.gov/

FLASH FLOOD WATCH in effect for #laplataco noon through midnight. Waves of moisture throughout today. Snow possible in high country.

Cold front moving in today. Potentially heavy thunder storms throught today bring chance of flash floods and debris flows. 


-------- Original message --------
From: EWARN- <ldad@noaa.gov>
Date: 09/22/2013 4:35 AM (GMT-07:00)
To:
Subject: DENFFAGJT


WGUS65 KGJT 221035
FFAGJT

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
435 AM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

COZ003-006-007-009-011-012-014-017-UTZ025-221845-
/O.EXA.KGJT.FF.A.0014.130922T1800Z-130923T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-GRAND VALLEY-DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-
GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN-
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-
UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE-TAVAPUTS PLATEAU-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RIO BLANCO...GRAND JUNCTION...FRUITA...
PALISADE...RIFLE...SILT...PARACHUTE...MESA...SKYWAY...CEDAREDGE...
DELTA...HOTCHKISS...MONTROSE...CRESTED BUTTE...TAYLOR PARK...
MARBLE...GUNNISON...CIMARRON...RIDGWAY...GLADE PARK
435 AM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT TODAY THROUGH THIS
EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS EXPANDED THE

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF COLORADO AND UTAH...
  INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN COLORADO...CENTRAL GUNNISON
  AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN...DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR...GRAND
  VALLEY...GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS...ROAN AND TAVAPUTS
  PLATEAUS...UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE...UPPER
  GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY AND WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS. IN
  UTAH...TAVAPUTS PLATEAU.

* FROM NOON MDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING

* A POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SHOWERS WILL BECEME FREQUENT THIS
  AFTERNOON WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS...SOME OF THESE STORMS
  WILL BE STRONG AND POSSIBLY SEVERE. SQUALL LINES MAY DEVELOP
  THIS AFTERNOON WITH BANDS OF HEAVY RAIN. THESE RAINS BRING AN
  ENHANCED THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING.

* HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BRING AREAS OF EXCESS RUNOFF...DEBRIS FLOWS
  AND FLASH FLOODING. RECENT BURN SCARS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE
  TO FLASH FLOODING OR MUDSLIDES. ROCK SLIDES MAY OCCUR IN AREAS
  OF STEEP TERRAIN. A RAPID RISE OF WATER IS EXPECTED IN NORMALLY
  DRY WASHES AND SMALLER CREEKS...CREATING CONDITIONS FAVORABLE
  FOR FLASH FLOODING. THIS INCLUDES THE PAPOOSE BURN SCAR IN
  NORTHERN HINSDALE COUNTY...AND THE EAST FORK BURN SCAR IN
  SOUTHWEST GUNNISON COUNTY.

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.

&&

$$

COZ018>023-UTZ022-027>029-221845-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.A.0014.130922T1800Z-130923T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-
PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER-
FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-
SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-SOUTHEAST UTAH-ARCHES/GRAND FLAT-
LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS-CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OURAY...TELLURIDE...LAKE CITY...
SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS...GATEWAY...NUCLA...CORTEZ...
DOVE CREEK...MANCOS...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...
PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BLANDING...BLUFF...MEXICAN HAT...
MOAB...CASTLE VALLEY...THOMPSON SPRINGS...MONTICELLO AND VICINITY
435 AM MDT SUN SEP 22 2013

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT TODAY
THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF COLORADO AND UTAH...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
  AREAS...IN COLORADO...ANIMAS RIVER BASIN...FOUR CORNERS/UPPER
  DOLORES RIVER...NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS...PARADOX
  VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER...SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN AND
  SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS. IN UTAH...ARCHES/GRAND FLAT...
  CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES...LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS AND
  SOUTHEAST UTAH.

* FROM NOON MDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING

* A POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION THIS
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SHOWERS WILL BECEME FREQUENT THIS
  AFTERNOON WITH EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS...SOME OF THESE STORMS
  WILL BE STRONG AND POSSIBLY SEVERE. SQUALL LINES MAY DEVELOP
  THIS AFTERNOON WITH BANDS OF HEAVY RAIN. THESE RAINS BRING AN
  ENHANCED THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING.

* HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BRING AREAS OF EXCESS RUNOFF...DEBRIS FLOWS
  AND FLASH FLOODING. RECENT BURN SCARS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE
  TO FLASH FLOODING OR MUDSLIDES. ROCK SLIDES MAY OCCUR IN AREAS
  OF STEEP TERRAIN. A RAPID RISE OF WATER IS EXPECTED IN NORMALLY
  DRY WASHES AND SMALLER CREEKS...CREATING CONDITIONS FAVORABLE
  FOR FLASH FLOODING. THIS INCLUDES THE PAPOOSE BURN SCAR IN
  NORTHERN HINSDALE COUNTY...AND THE EAST FORK BURN SCAR IN
  SOUTHWEST GUNNISON COUNTY.

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/

Debris flows from storms close roads remain a hazard overnight

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

 

For additional information, please       September 19, 2013

contact: Butch Knowlton at 970-749-8122      8:45 p.m. 

   

  Road Closures Due to Heavy Rainfall in La Plata County

 

Durango, CO - Runoff from excessive rainfall that began at approximately 5:30 p.m. in La Plata County this evening caused flash flooding to occur in areas of central La Plata County, from Durango to Vallecito Reservoir.  The National Weather Service Radar estimated that 1 to 2 inches of rain fell with localized rainfall of up to 3 inches within this short period of time.  Several inches of large hail fell in areas of La Plata County with hail being reported at nearly golf-ball size.  

 

Several road closures were reported and La Plata County Road and Bridge crews are on-site working to clear the roads:

 

· County Road 250 is closed in the 3000 block with 10 feet of debris on the roadway.  Road & Bridge crews have equipment on site and are working to clear the road, but the road will remain closed overnight.  There will be no through traffic on County Road 250 tonight - it is open from Trimble Lane south to the 3700 block and from 32^nd Street north to the 3000 block of County Road 250  A few homes on County Road 250 were damaged from debris flows and flooding.  

· County Road 240 was closed for a rockslide in the 9600 block near Red Creek, but has been cleared and reopened.

· County Road 501 was closed for several debris flows, but has been cleared and reopened.

· County Road 243 experienced debris flows, but is currently open.

· County Road 245 experienced debris flows, but is currently open.

· County Road 203 experienced debris flows, but is currently open.

· Southbound traffic on Highway 550 in the 5800 block at the Iron Horse Inn is closed.  North-bound traffic is currently open.  Southbound traffic is being diverted onto Animas View Drive.

 

Any of the areas that experienced flash floods or debris flows may experience flooding again with minimal amounts of rain.  Residents are asked to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. If flooding is observed, act quickly. Do not enter the water. Turn around and move up to higher ground. Do not stay in areas subject to flooding when water begins rising.

 

Motorists should drive slowly and carefully as they may encounter debris on the roads.  Motorists should never drive into areas where the water covers the roadway. The water depth may be too great to allow a safe crossing.

 

The National Weather Service is the best source for weather updates and has issued a flood warning that will remain in effect for La Plata County until 9:00 p.m.

 

###

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Being Prepared is more than having a swiss army knife in your pocket

While we watch the catastrophe of the Front Range ravaged by flooding we should be thinking of friends, families and neighbors who have been impacted. We should also be thinking about how to prepare ourselves for the inevitable hazards of living in the mountains. The Front Range is the center of our state population, industry and services. Look at the damage, the impacts to people, agriculture, services, and the loss of life.
What if we had a County or region wide storm event that flash flooded our rivers?

• All the streams and tributaries would flood as well
• We would have water in places that may have never had water
• Roads and bridges would wash away or become impassable
• Utilities and Communications would be down
• Water, wells, sewer and septic systems will be compromised
• Dams would overflow, or have to perform an emergency release
• People would be stranded on roads, in homes, at work, at school
• Flood water would cut off portions of 160 and 550 and Main Street
• Our first responders would be taxed beyond their limit
• You have to assume you would be on your own for a while

Mountains don't have rising water like the midwest or battering winds like a hurricane on the coast. We have flash floods. These forces of nature carry not just water, but water laden with debris: rocks, sand, boulders, trees, anything else in its path. This makes the water faster, more dense, and more destructive. Look at the difference between what happened in the Big Thompson or Left Hand versus out on the Platte. Big difference!

While the chance of a region wide storm is very small An isolated incident dumping several inches in several hours over a single drainage is almost every year. 

Regulations only require management of the 100 Year Flood Plain (areas that have a 1% chance of flooding in any given year).  Those areas require things like flood insurance and building above the flood water. 500 Year Floods (.5% annual chance), and in the case of the Front Range, 1000 year floods (.1%annual chance) are not regulated. Most in the 100 year flood plain have flood insurance. Most outside the area don't. Most home owners and renters insurance policies don't cover flood damage. If where you live looks like a 1000 year old river bed; it could be again. If you live on a gentle slope next to a creek at the mouth of a canyon, it is probably a debris fan coming off the mountains. Those didn't stop because people came, they just have a long rate of return. 

FEMA can only help with portions of cost and temporary housing. FEMA doesn't fix everything. We must take care of ourselves. 

You should have a plan and have supplies. Do you have enough food and water for your household (including animals) for at least 72hrs? Do you have a plan to meet up at an alternate location in case of disaster? Do you have a plan for neighbors to help with kids at home or elderly? check out www.ready.gov for more on this.

Sometimes things happen so fast there is no time to evacuate, all you can do is run up not run away. When we know something is coming that will cut you off we notify you to evacuate. When asked to evacuate; please do. Staying is not simply about you. It is about your family and friends wondering if you made it, it's about rescuers having to at least verify if you made it, it's about a week later when you need help and it takes the national guard and ten rescuers to come get you. 

Don't drive over washed out roads unless instructed to do so. Flash floods wash away under and around roads in ways you may not be able to see on the surface. When your front end falls in a hole, your car washes away. 

Have a plan, have insurance, get ready and get out early so you can take what you need and come back later. Remember that even if you aren't in the 100 year flood plain you can still be flooded. Since La Plata County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, all property owners are eligible to get flood insurance. It is a relatively reasonable cost outside the flood plain. 

For La Plata County, it has been over forty years since the last big flood and over a hundred since the biggest known flood covered our land. We now have many times the population and more dependence on outside services. Disaster will strike here again, the question is when. The "Big Thompson Flood of 1976" was the worst disaster this state knew of until last week.

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

Deep monsoonal moisture billows through La Plata and surounding counties today. Heavy rain is expected. Watch storms on hills above you, runoff increases on saturated ground.

WGUS65 KGJT 100935
FFAGJT

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
335 AM MDT TUE SEP 10 2013

COZ003-017-020-021-UTZ022-025-027>029-102130-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.A.0010.000000T0000Z-130911T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE- PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER- FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-SOUTHEAST UTAH-TAVAPUTS PLATEAU- ARCHES/GRAND FLAT-LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS- CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RIO BLANCO...RIDGWAY...GLADE PARK...
GATEWAY...NUCLA...CORTEZ...DOVE CREEK...MANCOS...BLANDING...
BLUFF...MEXICAN HAT...MOAB...CASTLE VALLEY...THOMPSON SPRINGS...
MONTICELLO AND VICINITY
335 AM MDT TUE SEP 10 2013

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF COLORADO AND UTAH...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
AREAS...IN COLORADO...FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER...
PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER...ROAN AND TAVAPUTS
PLATEAUS AND UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE. IN UTAH...
ARCHES/GRAND FLAT...CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES...LA SAL AND
ABAJO MOUNTAINS...SOUTHEAST UTAH AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAU.

* THROUGH THIS EVENING

* A DEEP PLUME OF MONSOONAL MOISTURE CONTINUES ACROSS EASTERN UTAH
AND WESTERN COLORADO THROUGH THIS EVENING. FREQUENT SHOWERS AND
SOME THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED WITH OCCASIONAL HEAVY RAIN.
LOCAL FLASH FLOODING IS POSSIBLE. WITH SATURATED GROUND
CONDITIONS IN MANY AREAS...NOT MUCH RAIN WILL BE NEEDED TO
GENERATE FLASH FLOODING.

* AREAS PRONE TO FLASH FLOODING OR MUD DEBRIS FLOW INCLUDE SMALL
STREAMS AND CREEKS...SLOT CANYONS...ARROYOS...SLICKROCK
AREAS...AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES. ROCK OR MUD SLIDES MAY BE
POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF STEEP TERRAIN.

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.

&&

$$

COZ001-002-004>014-018-019-022-023-102130-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.A.0010.130910T1500Z-130911T0600Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN- ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-GRAND VALLEY- DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN- GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS- GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS- CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN- WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-FLATTOPS- UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS- SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN- SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RANGELY...DINOSAUR...CRAIG...HAYDEN...
MEEKER...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...
GRAND JUNCTION...FRUITA...PALISADE...RIFLE...SILT...PARACHUTE...
MESA...GLENWOOD SPRINGS...EAGLE...CARBONDALE...SKYWAY...ASPEN...
VAIL...SNOWMASS...CEDAREDGE...DELTA...HOTCHKISS...MONTROSE...
CRESTED BUTTE...TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE...
GUNNISON...CIMARRON...OURAY...TELLURIDE...LAKE CITY...SILVERTON...
RICO...HESPERUS...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...
PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY
335 AM MDT TUE SEP 10 2013

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

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF WESTERN...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...CENTRAL
COLORADO RIVER BASIN AND FLATTOPS...CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER
BASIN...ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS AND UPPER YAMPA RIVER
BASIN...SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN...ANIMAS RIVER BASIN...NORTHWEST
SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS...CENTRAL
GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN...DEBEQUE TO SILT
CORRIDOR...GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS...
GRAND VALLEY...GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS...LOWER YAMPA RIVER
BASIN...UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY AND WEST ELK AND SAWATCH
MOUNTAINS.

* FROM 9 AM MDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING

* A DEEP PLUME OF MONSOONAL MOISTURE CONTINUES ACROSS EASTERN UTAH
AND WESTERN COLORADO THROUGH THIS EVENING. FREQUENT SHOWERS AND
SOME THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED WITH OCCASIONAL HEAVY RAIN.
LOCAL FLASH FLOODING IS POSSIBLE. WITH SATURATED GROUND
CONDITIONS IN MANY AREAS...NOT MUCH RAIN WILL BE NEEDED TO
GENERATE FLASH FLOODING.

* AREAS PRONE TO FLASH FLOODING OR MUD DEBRIS FLOW INCLUDE SMALL
STREAMS AND CREEKS...SLOT CANYONS...ARROYOS...SLICKROCK
AREAS...AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES. ROCK OR MUD SLIDES MAY BE
POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF STEEP TERRAIN.

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.

&&

$$






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