WALSENBURG — Huerfano County managers need help spreading the word that strong storms could produce dangerous flooding in and around the Spring Burn Scar.
Heavy monsoon rains swept through southern Colorado over the weekend, and while no major flooding impacts have been reported yet, more heavy rain is on the way.
If you live in and around the burn scar, especially in towns such as La Veta, Cuchara, and even Walsenburg, please plan ahead and take necessary precautions to prepare yourself and your residence for the possibility of an evacuation order.
Estimated Flooding Paths for the Burn Scar:
For La Veta anything that rains on the central or south side of the burn scar, south of Highway 160, will likely cause flooding. The Cucharas River is the main flood source.
Walsenburg can get flooded from the Cucharas river as it flows out of La Veta. A secondary flooding concern for Walsenburg would be heavy rain on the north side of the burn scar, leading to an overflow in the North Abeyta Creek.
The National Weather Service says it will only take a half an inch of rain over the course of an hour to trigger a flash flood in a burn scar. Emergency management crews are asking folks in communities surrounding the Spring Fire burn scar to sign up for emergency alerts.
