Colorado Department of Transportation
TRAVEL ALERT | ROAD OPEN – I-70 Glenwood Canyon
UPDATE – 4:00 p.m. (8/21) – The National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning for I-70 Glenwood Canyon has been lifted and I-70 is open. Motorists should continue to check weather conditions before traveling through the area.
National Weather Service
Central Colorado River Basin-Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys – Flat Tops
321 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE GRIZZLY CREEK FIRE BURN AREA IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT THIS EVENING.
- WHAT…Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are possible over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.
- WHERE…Portions of northwest Colorado and west central Colorado, including the following areas, in northwest Colorado, Flat Tops.
In west central Colorado, Central Colorado River Basin and Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys. - WHEN…Until 8 PM MDT this evening.
- IMPACTS…Heavy rainfall over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area is expected up to and during the period of the watch. Residents near the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area should prepare for potential
flooding impacts. Be sure to stay up to date with information from local authorities. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding of low-lying areas, urbanized street flooding, and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars. - ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
- National Weather Service Meteorologists are monitoring the potential for heavy rainfall over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area, which may lead to flash flooding and debris flows.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Flash flood warning ends, watch continues
Eagle CO – Garfield CO –
321 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022
FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE GRIZZLY CREEK FIRE BURN AREA IS CANCELLED FOR WESTERN EAGLE AND EAST CENTRAL GARFIELD COUNTIES.
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining closures.
Garco911
8.21.22, 2:45 pm – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Exit/Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.
8.21.22, 2:04 pm – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 114-133 both directions, West Glenwood Exit/Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.
Colorado Department of Transportation
8.21.22, 2:47 pm – STATEWIDE – The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 70 Glenwood Canyon due to a Flash Flood Warning issued for the Grizzly Creek Fire burn scar and Glenwood Canyon. The warning was announced by the National Weather Service at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.21. As of 1:45 p.m.,the warning is in effect until 4:30 p.m. Eastbound and westbound I-70 are closed from Glenwood Springs (exit 116) to Dotsero (exit 133), with a second closure point for westbound traffic at Eagle (exit 140). Eagle County residents will still have access to locations between exits 133 and 140 by using US Highway 6. On the west side of the canyon, motorists continue to have access to Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley
A safety closure of I-70 is necessary as part of safety protocol to protect the traveling public from flash floods and mudslides in Glenwood Canyon. Motorists should monitor weather alerts to see when the Flash Flood Warning ends. The safety closure will continue to be in place until the Flash Flood Warning is lifted. The closure may stay in effect if weather conditions are unpredictable or if flash floods occur.
Motorists should use COtrip.org or CDOT’s free COtrip Planner mobile app to plan an alternate route. The northern alternate route on US Highway 40 is recommended for most motorists. The northern alternate route will require approximately 2.5 hours additional travel time to reach your destination, compared to traveling on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. Westbound motorists from the Denver metro area can reach the northern route via US Highway 40, Colorado Highway 9 or Colorado Highway 131. (When detouring north onto CO 9, motorists should anticipate construction at exit 205 in Silverthorne.) Travelers can then continue west on US Highway 40 and then south on CO 13 to complete the alternate route and return to westbound I-70 at Rifle (exit 90). For eastbound I-70 motorists, a traffic control point is in place at eastbound West Rifle (exit 87) to guide motorists to the northern alternate route. Before detouring onto any alternate route, motorists should refer to COtrip.org for the latest road conditions. By traveling on the recommended alternate route, motorists can avoid major delays caused by rough roads and other hazards.
Flash Flood Warning | Closed I-70 Glenwood Canyon MP 116-133
8.21.22, 1:55 pm – I-70 is closed in both directions between Exit 116 in Glenwood and Exit 133 in Dotsero. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Grizzly Creek burn scar area in Glenwood Canyon. This closure is due to safety concerns. The roadway will remain closed until the Flash Flood Warning expires and the roadway is inspected for slides or damage.
National Weather Service
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
146 PM MDT Sun Aug 21 2022
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has extended the
- Flash Flood Warning for…
The Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area in…
Western Eagle County in west central Colorado…
East Central Garfield County in west central Colorado… - Until 430 PM MDT.
- At 146 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow moving through the Glenwood Canyon area. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
HAZARD…Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding in and around the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.
SOURCE…Radar.
IMPACT…Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.
- Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…Glenwood Springs, Shoshone and Dotsero.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks…streams…and ditches in the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Severe debris flows can also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in places. If you encounter flood waters…climb to safety.
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.