Flash flooding is opening sinkholes and sweeping cars down Colorado Springs streets as 2 inches of rain fell in 45 minutes.Heavy rains and thunderstorms on Monday caused flash flooding in the Colorado Springs area, opening giant sinkholes and washing cars down city streets. Officials say that on Monday up to 2 inches of rain fell in just 45 minutes, turning streets into rivers. Manitou Springs got 2.33 inches of precipitation yesterday, shutting down businesses and schools. Hail piled up several inches deep.
The rain total for the year is now at 21.91 inches, the 10th highest in the history of Colorado Springs, according to Mark Wankowski, meteorologist at the National Weather Service. A sinkhole large enough to swallow cars opened on a street in Colorado Springs. The hole, 7 feet wide, 17 feet long and 10 feet deep has caused Chestnut Street to close indefinitely. Mud and debris flowed down city streets, thought to be caused by a lack of vegetation.
Residents were warned to move to higher ground and avoid flooded areas. The flash flood warning was issued at 2:30 p.m. for Douglas and Arapahoe counties. Storms were heading toward Park Country with forecasts of up to an inch of hail and winds of 60 mph.
The Tuesday forecast for the area is for clearing skies and temperatures in the 80s today, with only 40 percent chance of precipitation.
SHARING
Daniel J. Brown
Daniel J. Brown (Editor-in-Chief) is a recently retired data analyst who gets a kick out of reading and writing the news. He enjoys good music, great food, and sports, with a slant towards Southern college football, basketball and professional baseball.