Monsoonal airmass was in place during the afternoon and evening of July 22, 2019 allowing for heavy showers and storms to develop over the high country and slowly move towards the east-southeast. A few of the storms near Westcliffe merged and became nearly stationary producing close to 3.5 inches of rain within 90 minutes.
Storms that developed east of Westcliffe moved southeast towards the Junkins burn scar and San Isabel National Forest where rock slides and debris flows occurred along portions of US Highway 96.
Over the Spring burn scar rainfall rates increased dramatically with gauges on the burn scar reporting over an inch in 20 minutes. Mudslides, stream gouging, boulder movement, and flash flooding all occurred in the hardest hit drainage, Middle Creek.

Flash Flood in CUSTER, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 15:07:00 to 22-JUL-19 16:07:00 (MST-7)
Location: WESTCLIFFE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rain closed roadway.

Flash Flood in CUSTER, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 15:30:00 to 22-JUL-19 16:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: WETMORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Local FD reported that Hardscrabble Creek came out of its banks. Also, multiple rock and mudslides across US Hwy 96, shutting the road down.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 17:33:00 to 22-JUL-19 18:33:00 (MST-7)
Location: (VTP)LA VETA PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

South Abeyta Creek was reported to be about 2 feet over its banks.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 17:40:00 to 22-JUL-19 18:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: (VTP)LA VETA PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Huerfano County EM reported Middle Creek is out of its banks.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 17:40:00 to 22-JUL-19 18:40:00 (MST-7)
Location: (VTP)LA VETA PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

South Abeyta Creek is out of its banks.

Flash Flood in COSTILLA, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 17:59:00 to 22-JUL-19 18:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA VETA PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Culvert that runs under US Hwy 160 has been topped and now water is running across road surface.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 18:43:00 to 22-JUL-19 19:43:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA VETA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Water has over-topped CR 430.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 21:22:00 to 22-JUL-19 22:22:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA VETA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Highway 12 in La Veta has been closed with water flowing across the road surface. Water was at least 4 inches deep.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 21:24:00 to 22-JUL-19 22:24:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA VETA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

County Road 440 has been washed out with possible damage to nearby railroad tracks.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 21:26:00 to 22-JUL-19 22:26:00 (MST-7)
Location: LA VETA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

At least 2 feet of water rapidly flowing across CR 430. Looks to impact at least 100 yards of the road surface.

Flash Flood in HUERFANO, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 18:59:00 to 22-JUL-19 19:59:00 (MST-7)
Location: (VTP)LA VETA PASS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Indian Creek has over-topped CR 421. Significant amount of water over road surface.

Flash Flood in CUSTER, COLORADO
From 22-JUL-19 19:11:00 to 22-JUL-19 20:11:00 (MST-7)
Location: WETMORE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Highway 96 is closed between CO 165 and Smith Creek road for debris flows.