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000 

WGUS75 KPUB 252051

FFSPUB

COC105-252145-



FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PUEBLO CO

249 PM MDT FRI JUN 25 2004



...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE MILLION BURN 

SCAR IN NORTHWESTERN RIO GRANDE COUNTY UNTIL 345 PM MDT FRIDAY 

AFTERNOON...



THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO PRODUCE LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN SHOWERS 

OVER THE MILLION BURN SCAR IN NORTHWESTERN RIO GRANDE COUNTY. ENOUGH 

RAIN HAS FALLEN IN SOME AREAS TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING. THE STORMS 

PRODUCING THE RAINFALL HAVE WEAKENED.  HOWEVER...RUNOFF FROM EARLIER 

STORMS WILL CONTINUE THE THREAT OF FLASH FLOODING.



JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF RAINFALL ON A BURN SCAR CAN LEAD TO FLASH 

FLOODING. WATER THAT IS NORMALLY ABSORBED BY VEGETATION...RUNS OFF 

ALMOST INSTANTLY. THIS CAUSES CREEKS AND DRAINAGE AREAS TO FLOOD AT A

MUCH FASTER RATE THAN NORMAL. ADDITIONALLY...THE SOILS IN A BURN SCAR

BECOME VERY UNSTABLE WHEN IT RAINS. ENTIRE HILLSIDES CAN BREAK 

AWAY...CREATING DEVASTATING ROCK SLIDES...MUDSLIDES...AND DEBRIS 

FLOWS. ROADWAYS ARE OFTEN DESTROYED BY THE POWERFUL FORCE OF THE 

RUSHING WATER AND DEBRIS...ESPECIALLY IF THEY PASS THROUGH A CREEK 

BED OR OTHER DRAINAGE AREA.



$$



LW

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