Roads Completely Destroyed In Southern Colorado Flooding
BEULAH, Colo. (CBS4) - Several roads are washed out or covered in water due to major flooding in southern Colorado. More than 16 inches of water has fallen in the area since late March with nearly six inches in the past three days.
Creeks are overflowing after Wednesday's rain and hail storm, forcing debris down from the Junkins and Beulah Hill Fire burn scars in Beulah, south of Pueblo.
Seven people have been evacuated. A UH-60 helicopter was used to pick up the evacuees and take them to the Beulah School, which has been set up as an American Red Cross evacuation center.
The flash flood is from a combination of heavy rain and snow melt, along with wildfires.
"Ah, yeah. She's alright I think. She's probably better than I am up here," said Gino Mittino.
He arrived home on Wednesday night to find flood waters cutting his driveway in two-- with his wife stranded on the other side.
"It started tearing down fences," said Mittino.
Despite being trapped on the other side of the raging water, Mittino's wife rode down to the edge in an ATV and waved hello to her husband and the CBS4 crew.
Drone4 flew over the flooded area on Thursday. Watch the video below:
Law enforcement is advising people not to travel if they are in the area as several roads are closed.
Several road closures remained in effect on Thursday afternoon:
• Northcreek Road from Central Avenue to the Pueblo County/Custer County line
• Red Creek West at the low water crossing
• Red Creek West, one mile east of Siloam Road
• Squirrel Creek Road
• Geronimo Drive at Pine Drive
• Lower entrance to Pueblo Mountain Park Road at Pine Drive
• 3R Road at Crow Cutoff
The area is not expected to see any additional rainfall Thursday or through the weekend, but standing and fast-moving water remains, and people are warned not to try to drive through it.
Damaged culverts and power outages are also causing problems in the area.
The Beulah School has been set up as an evacuation center in response to the flooding. The school is located at 8734 School House Lane.
Crews from San Isabel Electric are in the process of trying to restore power to 160 residents in the Beulah Valley.
Anyone who has power problems is told to contact San Isabel Electric at 719-547-2160.
