Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Grand Junction CO
- Areas
- Montrose, CO; San Miguel, CO
- Places
- Norwood, Sawpit, Placerville, Fall Creek
- In effect
- until 3:30 PM MDT, Oct 22, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Radar and gauge indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Grand Junction CO, Flash Flood Warning, 12:31 PM MDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS Grand Junction CO, Flash Flood Warning, 12:31 PM MDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
“Highway 145 between Norwood and Sawpit is prone to rockslides and mudslides in heavy rain.”
NWS Grand Junction CO, Flash Flood Warning, 12:31 PM MDT Oct 22, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. Turn around and find another route. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
If you are near Norwood, Sawpit, Placerville or Fall Creek, stay away from creeks, streams, and underpasses. Move to higher ground if water starts rising.
Highway 145 between Norwood and Sawpit is prone to rockslides and mudslides in heavy rain. Watch for rocks and debris on the road, and avoid flooded sections.
Never drive around barricades. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance claims show past flood losses in both counties. Montrose County has 6 claims from 1984 to 2021, and San Miguel County has 18 claims from 1983 to 2016. These counts cover only insured properties, so they do not show all flood damage.
The data lists no FEMA disaster declarations for either county.
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 3:30 PM MDT.
- NWS Grand Junction CO issued the flash flood warning until 3:30 PM MDT.
History here
Montrose County: 6 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1984, most recent 2021.
San Miguel County: 18 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1983, most recent 2016.
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Norwood, Colorado?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a Flash Flood Warning that includes Norwood. It is in effect until 3:30 PM MDT on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Which areas are under the flash flood warning?
- The warning covers northeastern San Miguel County and southeastern Montrose County. Places named include Norwood, Sawpit, Placerville and Fall Creek.
- How serious is this flash flood warning?
- The National Weather Service describes the flooding as life threatening, with possible impacts to creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses. Heavy rain is falling on ground that already received 1 to 2 inches in the last 24 hours.
Sources
- NWS Grand Junction CO: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 22, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.