Heavy rains caused flash flooding and mudslides near the 416 burn scar Tuesday, closing Highway 550 in multiple locations and forcing people camping out to evacuate.
CDOT closed Highway 550 south of Hermosa for hours Tuesday evening after a mudslide carried large rocks, mud and other debris into the road. The road was closed from the lower junction of La Plata County Road 250 to the railroad bridge until it was opened to alternating traffic a little before 9 p.m.
Another stretch of 550 was also closed south of Ouray due to debris in the road from flooding there. As of Tuesday night, both stretches of highway have reopened with alternating traffic making its way through both areas.
The KOA campground near Hermosa had to be evacuated due to the rushing water and mud. Campers were told to relocate to the La Plata County fairgrounds. It also caused county officials to issue pre-evacuation orders from Hermosa to Shalona Hill, those people remain on pre-evacuation orders Tuesday night.
