US Highway 24 Mudslides and Flooding-Date of Incident-July 10, 2013

U.S. Highway 24 was shut down for hours, from 21st Street in Colorado Springs, to Cascade, because of mudslides, debris, and water flow that came over the roadway, trapping some drivers. Emergency resources, flood patrol, and personnel were already staged in the immediate area due to the forecast of storms for this afternoon. Rescue workers successfully removed people from their cars and the dangerous conditions. State highway workers moved mud and debris for hours, near Mile Marker 297, to make the highway accessible again for commuters. A culvert had become quickly jammed with large debris that had washed off the mountains from rain. This caused heavy water flow, mud, and debris to begin flowing down US Highway 24, washing away people's vehicles that were heading up the pass. A Flash Flood Warning had been in effect for West Central El Paso County until 6PM on July 10, 2013. Highway 24 finally opened again, a little after 7 PM on July 10th.

Jerilee Bennett-Photojournalist with the Colorado Springs Gazette, was able to get some pictures of the progression of the Highway 24 cleanup at: http://gazette.com/gallery/1695/pictures/272026

9 News Denver did an excellent follow-up story on this US Highway 24 flooding incident at: http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=344748