The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pueblo, Colorado, issued a Flood Warning for western Conejos County in south-central Colorado on October 22 at 9:52 PM MDT. This warning is in effect until October 23 at 10:45 AM MDT. The NWS reported that dangerous flooding of rivers, creeks, and streams is possible through early Friday morning due to continuous moderate to heavy rain.

Excessive rainfall is causing flooding, and Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain was already occurring in the warned area as of 9:44 PM MDT on October 22. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain had fallen, with an additional 0.5 to 1.5 inches expected. Streams are continuing to rise because of excess runoff from the ongoing rainfall.

The expected impacts include flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Residents in affected areas are advised to climb to higher ground immediately if flood waters threaten.

This Flood Warning follows a broader period of severe weather in the region. A Flood Watch was also issued by NWS Pueblo CO, effective from October 20 until October 23 at 6:00 PM MDT. This watch covers the eastern San Juan Mountains and the Upper Rio Grande Valley, including Conejos, Mineral, and Rio Grande Counties,. This larger weather pattern began with an influx of tropical moisture into Colorado on October 21. This moisture brought scattered showers and thunderstorms, producing significant rainfall and wind gusts up to 50 MPH. A Special Weather Statement was also issued by NWS Pueblo CO on October 21 at 4:30 PM MDT, tracking a strong thunderstorm moving east at 30 mph in the Upper Rio Grande Valley and Eastern San Juan Mountains.