DENVER -- Heavy rains hit the Hayman burn area Friday afternoon, sending a torrent of ash and mud down several creeks, toward the community of Deckers.
The rain came during a flash flood warning for area. National Weather Service Doppler radar showed the storm producing heavy rain nearly stationary over Cheesman Reservoir around 1:30 p.m., NWS said.
A river of ash and mud (pictured, left) was spotted flowing toward the town of Deckers shortly after, 7NEWS reported. Douglas County said that the affected area is along Highway 67 from Deckers, south to the Douglas County line. Traffic along Highway 67 was not affected, 7NEWS reported.
Heavy runoff was running down Trout Creek and Horse Creek, toward Deckers, authorities said. Video from Airtracker7 showed black runoff from the ash moving down Horse Creek, cutting off at least one access road. A home on Horse Creek was sandbagged to prevent flood waters from reaching it.
Douglas County issued a statement on the flooding around 4 p.m. that said:
"Residents are advised not to evacuate, but to stay put, unless threatened by flooding waters. At that time, they should climb to higher ground. Residents are also asked not to drive their vehicles through any low water crossings or unusually high water. If one does get caught in a vehicle in the water, get out and climb to higher ground.
"It is also suggested that recreational users not use the South Platte River throughout the rest of the day. No injuries have been reported as a result of this storm."
Residents were urged to protect their property and move to higher ground. Locations in the warning included, but were not limited to, Cheesman Reservoir, Deckers, Devil's Head, Lake George, Wellington Lake and Westcreek.
The flash flood warning expired at 4:20 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for Boulder and El Paso counties and a tornado warning was issued for Larimer and Weld counties.
Because of the significant amount of snowmelt and approaching thunderstorms, NWS also issued flash flood watches for Adams, Arapahoe, Baca, Boulder, Clear Creek, Crowley, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Grand, Huerfano, Jackson, Jefferson, Larimer, Las Animas, Otero, Park, Summit and Weld counties.
"Isolated showers and thunderstorms are already beginning to develop in the mountains just east of the Continental Divide at this time. A fairly moist air mass is now in place over the Front Range foothills and Front Range plains," NWS said in its alert. "Later this afternoon a cold front is expected to move into the watch area bringing low-level easterly flow and additional moisture to the watch area."
With many of the rivers and streams in the watch area now running high with snowmelt, any additional water from heavy rain or thunderstorms could cause flooding, officials warned.
A flash flood watch means that flash flooding is possible but not imminent within the watch area. People in the watch area are advised to be prepared to move to higher ground and be ready for quick action if flash flooding occurs. During wet weather, do not drive your vehicle into areas where water covers the road.
Most of the flash flood watches are set to expire at midnight but the watch for Teller and Fremont counties expires at 6 p.m. Saturday because thunderstorms are expected to continue in that area overnight.
"The Arkansas River around Canon City is running high due to recent snowmelt. As long as no heavy rain falls in the mountains above Canon City during the next 36 hours, the river is expected to crest just below flood stage around 1 p.m. Saturday. However, if heavy rain showers develop over the tributary basins of the Arkansas above Canon City ... then the river could go out of its banks," NWS said.
The afternoon's scattered thunderstorms are expected to gather more strength and be more widespread as the day progresses, 7NEWS Meteorologist Richard Ortner said.
Heavy rain, hail and even lightning are possible throughout the day.
On Saturday, we could see the same wet conditions, with showers, hail and lightning possible throughout the day, Ortner said.
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