Rain causes rock slides in Larimer County

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for northeast and north central Colorado. The service noted that storms were moving northeast from Fort Collins, but said upslope conditions along the foothills in Boulder and Larimer counties increased the chance of potentially heavy rainfall throughout the afternoon. The NWS warned that small streams may flood suddenly and that rain may trigger mudslides.

A rock slide closed one lane on Stove Prairie Road (County Road 27) between Poudre Canyon and Rist Canyon Road. Crews were on route to clear boulders on the roadway, said Don Nadow, spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

He also said there were rocks reported in the roadway at mile marker 66 in Big Thompson Canyon.

Sheriff's dispatchers were also reporting that eastbound lanes of Highway 34 were blocked by rock slides at mile marker 80 in Big Thompson Canyon. Crews were on scene clearing the debris as of 2:15 p.m.

Rain has been falling in Fort Collins practically nonstop since last night.

The NWS reported 1.7 inches of precipitation in the past 24 hours, with three-tenths of an inch falling between 9-11 a.m.

Moderate rain and minor flooding is expected through the afternoon.

Nadow said motorists should slow down and exercise caution "especially getting into the mountains."