FloodZoneMap.org

Flash Flood — La Plata, CO

Sep 22, 2013

A negatively tilted upper trough and associated cold front swung across the 4 Corners region and incorporated monsoonal moisture to produce strong thunderstorms with large hail and heavy rainfall across southwest Colorado. The runoff from this rainfall caused flash flooding in many areas, including locations around Durango. Hail damage to personal property in La Plata County was estimated to be at least two million dollars.

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 519595). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for La Plata, CO

This event is one of many recorded floods in La Plata County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

View La Plata County flood data →

More Flood Stories

Flash Flood$2.0M damage

La Plata, CO · Jul 24, 2018

As high pressure spun southeast of the Four Corners region, subtropical moisture moved northward along the western periphery of the high. This increase in moisture produced some thunderstorms with heavy rainfall in La Plata County.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$25K damage

La Plata, CO · Jun 26, 2022

Monsoon moisture advected north into the region. Residual moisture from previous days convection helped to prime the atmosphere which led to an uptick in shower and thunderstorm coverage across western Colorado.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$100K damage

La Plata, CO · Sep 7, 2002

The flash flood brought large volumes of mud, trees, and boulders across county roads and deposited the debris on a number of private properties. Several vehicles were carried a short distance in the flow.

Read the full account →
Flash Flood$1.5M damage

La Plata, CO · Sep 7, 2002

Flash flooding was widespread along the east side of the Animas Valley. Very large debris flows accompanied the flash floods. Two large houses in the path of the flows incurred extensive damage. Two mobile homes were knocked off their foundations.

Read the full account →