Storms drench San Juan, cause damage
Several days of storms, driven in part by moisture from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, brought a deluge of rain to San Juan County, resulting in floods, disruptions and damage during a normally dry June.
The storms were widespread, but had particular impact on several key areas.
Highways were closed in several locations, including Highway 163 just north of Mexican Hat, and Highway 191 in Spanish Valley south of Moab.
A flash food roared out of Lime Canyon and covered Highway 163 near Valley of the Gods, causing significant damage along the way.
The storms also damaged equipment and telecommunications infrastructure in several locations. Power outages were reported in many locations, but quick response by electrical crews minimized the impact.
Blanding received more than two inches of rain during the storm, resulting in flooded basements, damaged equipment, suddenly full stock-watering ponds, and delighted children. Blanding averages 1.87 inches of rain in a typical June, so the single storm exceeded the monthly average.
June is generally the dryest month of the year in San Juan County, although single storm deluges are not uncommon.
Recreationists were caught in several areas, including a group camping along the San Juan River. They lost equipment and boats, but were not injured during the terrifying storm.
A large hail-storm pummeled boaters on Lake Powell with golf ball-sized hail, causing damage but no significant injuries.
Search and rescue crews were busy in northern San Juan County, but have reported no casualties. There may still be stranded hikers in some locations.
The storm also completely filled the river bottom south of Bluff
Storm totals in other areas included 1.47 inches in Monticello, 1.33 inches in Bluff, 1.16 inches in Moab, and 1.50 inches at Camp Jackson.
The weather conditions makes it feels like late July and August in the area. The storms were reinforced by moisture streaming up from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.
The dew point at the Tucson Airport , generally the most accurate predictor of the Southwest Monsoon, has been higher than normal, reaching the mid 60s in recent days. The monsoon generally begins when the dew point reaches the mid 50s at the Tucson Airport.