Northern Colorado burn areas under flash flood watch after night of wild weather

Sarah Kyle and Rebecca Powell, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·5 min read

A flash flood watch goes into effect starting Thursday morning for wildfire burn areas in Northern Colorado.

The National Weather Service in Boulder issued the watch on Wednesday, to begin at 11 a.m. Thursday and last through 10 p.m.

That watch includes the East Troublesome, Cameron Peak, Williams Fork and Calwood burn scars and warns that more heavy rain could trigger flash flooding and debris flows.

Looking for Thursday's live updates?Find them here

"If you are traveling into these areas tomorrow, stay weather aware!" the weather service's Boulder office posted on Twitter on Wednesday.

"Residents in and immediately next to recent burn scars should prepare for potential flooding impacts," the weather service stated in another post. "Be ready to act and move to higher ground should a Flash Flood Warning be issued for your location."

The forecast for Fort Collins and surrounding areas on Thursday calls for clouds, with showers and thunderstorms likely mainly after noon.

The weather watch follows a night of active storm and flood warnings on Wednesday.

25 years ago this week:Spring Creek Flood anniversary: Revisit the deadly night

Wednesday storms create flash flood warnings

On Wednesday night, the National Weather Service warned of "life threatening" flash flooding in Larimer County, including the Cameron Peak Fire burn area.

Thunderstorms affected much of Larimer County on Wednesday and were expected to cause dangerous flooding. The flash flood warning expired at 11:30 p.m.

The warning area covered Stove Prairie, Buckhorn Mountain, Glen Haven and Masonville, including these locations:

  • Box Prairie

  • Upper Buckorn along Larimer County Road 44H

  • Moondance Way

  • Stringtown Gulch

  • Big Bear

  • Lower Buckhorn on Larimer County Road 27 above Masonville

  • Crystal Mountain

  • The Retreat

  • Storm Mountain

Between 0.3 and 0.6 inches fell in in those areas, with between 0.5 and 1 inch of additional rainfall expected at the time of the warning, according to the weather service. Those in the affected area were urged to move to high ground immediately, the weather service warned.

"Act quickly to protect your life," it stated in the warning. "This is a life threatening situation! Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flooding of creeks, streams, roads and culverts in the affected part of the Cameron Peak burn area."

Rock slides or debris flows were also expected to impact roads in the warning area, according to the weather service.

A separate warning was issued for the Pennock Pass and Pingree Park area, including Poudre Springs, Monument Gulch, Jacks Gulch, Upper Pingree Park Road, Lower Pingree Park Road and Sky Ranch. That warning was in effect until 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.

In that warning, the weather service said between 0.4 and 0.9 inches of rain had already fallen in that warning area.

Less than two weeks ago, two people died in a flash flood in the Crystal Mountain and Buckhorn Canyon areas about 20 miles west of Fort Collins. There were no other reported injuries related to the July 15 flood, according to officials.

Flash flood safety tips

Flash flooding is the No. 1 storm-related killer in Colorado and the U.S. because most people don't understand how quickly these floods can happen and don't realize the power of water.

Here are ways to stay safe:

  • Continually monitor the weather if you are in a prone area as well as have a way to monitor weather updates and alerts.

  • Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas known to flood that may cut off your evacuation routes.

  • Have an evacuation plan and make sure to communicate it with your entire group.

  • Even if during a rain you don't see flooding occurring where you are, if you are in a prone area prepare to move to higher ground as there may be a delay in the flooding reaching you if rain fell above where you are.

  • If you see flooding occurring, move to higher ground immediately and remain there well past the time the flood subsides.

  • Do not attempt to cross floodwaters by walking or with a vehicle. Six inches of floodwater can knock a person off their feet, and 12 inches can move a vehicle.

Source: National Weather Service

More:Signing up for these Larimer County emergency alerts could save your life

Severe thunderstorm warning impacted Larimer County Wednesday

Just after 9 p.m., the National Weather Service warned of a severe thunderstorm in Drake, which is about 15 miles southwest of Fort Collins, moving southeast at 20 mph and producing up to quarter-size hail. The warning was in effect until 10 p.m. In an update just prior to 9:30 p.m., the weather service said the storm was located near Cedar Cove, about 16 miles southwest of Fort Collins, and expected to impact Carter Lake.

The weather service advised those in affected areas to move to the interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

More:Heat advisory? Special weather statement? Here's what these weather watches, warnings mean

Damaging hail hits Wellington, areas along Larimer-Weld county line

Damaging hail hit Wellington prior to 9 p.m. Wednesday, as hail stones the size of grapes and larger pelted roofs, cars and anything left outside. Photos on social media and sent to Coloradoan staff showed hailstones the size of walnuts in the affected area.

Larimer County flood survivor:'When they say flash flood, take it seriously'

Coloradoan reporter Miles Blumhardt and Executive Editor Eric Larsen contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Flash flood watch issued for Cameron Peak burn area after night of storms