Despite a steady amount of rain that continues to hit the area, expected floods in the 416 Fire burn area have not occurred.
“From all appearances, there have been some pretty significant storms,” said Butch Knowlton, director of the La Plata County Office of Emergency Management. “But they just haven’t delivered that much precipitation. There is good rain coming across the fire area, but as of right now, we haven’t seen anything that has created any flooding.”
Knowlton has been communicating with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction throughout the day Saturday about precipitation levels on the burn area. Rain gauges in the higher elevations have recorded up to half an inch of rain, but so far it hasn’t materialized in a dangerous amount of flows.
The continued storms have increased the amount of ash that has appeared in watersheds such as Hermosa Creek, Knowlton said.
The NWS expects storms to remain in the area until Wednesday, and officials will continue to monitor at-risk areas over the next several days. Officials have created plans in case floods do occur and are prepared to use them if necessary.
“We’re ready to go,” Knowlton said. “Whenever we get reports or indications from the radar units that we have the potential for some significant issues, then we’ll have units respond to the area to monitor just exactly what happens.”
asemadeni@durangoherald.com
