SerpApi.Org
One lane of eastbound Interstate 70 is back open but all other lanes remain closed due to "tons of mud and debris" covering the roadway, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
At about 7 p.m. Monday the highway became impassable due to a debris flow. Torrential rain and hail flooded the area, pushing mud, logs, and rocks across the roadway and overwhelming local drainages, CDOT said.
The highway was closed in both directions between Exit 97 near Silt and Exit 105 near New Castle. It’s estimated that the mud and debris has covered more than 300 yards of the highway and more than three feet deep in some areas. The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said that as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday one eastbound lane was back open.
“A very quick, very heavy rain and hail storm brought a lot of moisture and the dry ground was not able to absorb, which caused massive flooding and piles of debris to overwhelm the drainage system in this area,” said Jason Smith, CDOT Regional Transportation Director. “Our maintenance crew reacted quickly and worked in conjunction with our State Patrol partners to get the roadway closed off and route vehicles onto detours.”
The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said there are other road closures as well, with flash flooding impacting the Peach Valley area.
County Road 214 (Peach Valley Road) was completely flooded at the intersection with County Road 262 (Mid Valley Lane). Both roads were closed due to swift moving water and multiple logs in the roadway, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said motorists should use extreme caution and avoid driving through flooded sections of roadway.
U.S. Highway 6 was also closed Monday night due a land/mud slide between mile markers 100 and 103 near Silt and New Castle, but the road reopened around 1 a.m. Tuesday.
