Flash flooding swamped multiple roads across Garfield County on Thursday, sending deputies scrambling across the county and forcing temporary closures as runoff poured over low-lying stretches of pavement. The quick-hit flooding left several rural routes impassable and had officials urging drivers to slow down, reroute, or simply stay put until the waters receded.
Deputies fan out as crews track rising water
According to FOX31 Denver, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office said in a social post that deputies were out responding to flash flooding on several roads and checking for stranded motorists. Video from the station showed water sheeting across rural roads while crews kept an eye on conditions and watched for trouble spots.
Weather service flagged heavy rain and burn-scar danger
The National Weather Service office in Grand Junction had already waved a warning flag, issuing a hydrologic outlook that called for significant rainfall across the Western Slope and highlighted the risk of flash flooding and debris flows. The agency noted that burn scars, narrow canyons, and low-water crossings were especially vulnerable. NWS Grand Junction urged residents and travelers to be ready to move to higher ground if flooding developed.
Officials repeat the flood-safety basics
Authorities again leaned on the familiar mantra to "turn around, don't drown" and reminded drivers not to try to push through flooded stretches of roadway. The Colorado Department of Transportation advises checking COtrip.org or its travel page for live updates on road conditions and closures before heading out. CDOT and local emergency channels remain the go-to sources for up-to-the-minute information when storms roll in.
