Residents living near the Aspen Acres burn scar in southern Colorado are being urged to stay alert this Thursday, as forecasters warn that a fresh round of storms could unleash sudden and life-threatening flooding in the area.
A Flash Flood Watch has been put into effect for the region from noon until 9 p.m. on July 30, covering the burn scar zone near Pueblo. Weather officials say scattered to widespread thunderstorms are expected to build through the afternoon and into the evening hours, and some of these storms may move slowly enough to dump heavy rainfall over a short period of time.
That combination — burned, unstable ground and intense rainfall — is exactly what raises the danger level. Officials explain that when storms stall over recently burned terrain, the scorched soil struggles to absorb water, which can send fast-moving walls of mud, rock, and debris rushing downhill without much warning. These debris flows have the potential to damage roads, clog drainage systems, and put homes and infrastructure near the burn scar at serious risk.
According to the National Weather Service office in Pueblo, confidence is currently moderate to high that Thursday’s storms will be strong enough to trigger these hazardous conditions, which is why officials are asking people in and around the area to remain weather-aware throughout the day rather than waiting until a warning is issued.
Emergency officials are reminding residents to have more than one way to receive weather alerts, whether through a phone app, radio, or local alert system, and to be ready to move to higher ground immediately if conditions worsen. Drivers are being strongly cautioned against crossing flooded roads under any circumstance, with officials repeating the well-known safety reminder: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Storms are expected to taper off later Thursday night, though officials note that forecasts could shift and additional updates may follow as the day progresses.