Highway 14 In Poudre Canyon Reopens After Flash Flooding, Mudslides

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Flash flooding and mudslides in Larimer County caused the closure of Highway 14 in the Poudre Canyon for several hours on Friday. It also put dozens of residents on a pre-evacuation alert.

A lot of debris and ash was flowing out of Hewlett Gulch into the Poudre River.

Highway 14 reopened at 7:30 p.m.

Roads in Rist Canyon were also affected for a time, particularly Davis Ranch Road. Traffic that was being diverted in this area has since been allowed to continue through.

This is in the High Park Fire burn area. The fire burned more than 87,000 acres after it was started by lightning June 9. Firefighters have the fire 100 percent contained.

Charred hillsides are vulnerable to erosion and flooding during downpours because they have less vegetation to soak up rain, and burned soils can repel water.

The flash flooding also affects the Hewlett Gulch Fire burn area.

Flash flooding in the Monument Gulch area was flowing into Fish Creek in the Pingree Park area.

No evacuations have been ordered at this time but the pre-evacuation alert was issued at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The predicted weather pattern in Larimer County for the weekend will remain the same as Friday. Flash flood warnings may continue until Monday. Highway 14 may experience more mudslides and falling rocks which may impact residents and impede travel along Highway 14.

Highway 14 residents from Mishawaka on the west to Gateway Park on the east are now under a pre-evacuation alert. Residents should be ready to leave at a moment's notice if conditions worsen. There is no evacuation site open at this time but will be opened if an evacuation is necessary. A total of 227 emergency notifications were sent. T

Crews with the Colorado Department of Transportation cleaned up the debris.

The rain started to subside at about 3:45 p.m. Friday.