Summer Packs a Wet Wallop

Lamar and portions of southeast Colorado was hit by two intense storm systems this past Tuesday and Wednesday.  Last night’s storm saw sustained winds of 62mph, according to the National Weather Service out of Pueblo, and gusts up to 76mph which brought down numerous tree limbs and branches and leaves during the height of the storm.

The southwesterly system only lasted an hour or so and the thunderstorm warning was downgraded earlier than the 9:30pm limit attached to it.  Some streets in Lamar were flooded because the drain systems which did well earlier in the week were unable to keep up with the downpour on Wednesday in some areas of the town which normally will see some flooding.  City of Lamar street crews were out cleaning drains and gutters of twigs and debris and some residents had already policed their property in anticipation of their arrival.

We do manage to get some good along with the bad, and that holds true for increased rain levels through the spring and summer.  Lamar received 1.83 inches since 7/13 and 2.22 inches for July.  Year to date has us at 13.89 inches, compared to 6.26 at this same time last year.  Other communities for the year show Holly with 11.27 inches, Two Buttes with 13.33 and La Junta with 11.69 so far for 2015.

By Russ Baldwin