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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
259 AM MDT WED MAY 8 2024

...Today in metro Denver weather history...

4-8   In 1969...from the 4th to the 8th...heavy rains caused
        flooding on Boulder Creek in Boulder...which resulted in
        one death on the 7th. Flooding also occurred on Bear
        Creek in Sheridan and on the South Platte River in Denver.
        Rain over most of the eastern foothills started late on
        the 4th and continued with only brief interruptions in
        many areas until the morning of the 8th.  Very high rates
        of rainfall occurred on the 6th and 7th with the greatest
        intensities in a band along the foothills from about 25
        miles southwest of Denver northward to Estes Park.  Storm
        totals by both official and unofficial measurements
        exceeded 10 inches over much of this area and were over 12
        inches in some localities.  Heavy snow fell in the higher
        mountains and in the foothills later in the period.  The
        saturation of the soil resulted in numerous rock and land
        slides...and the heavy run-off caused severe damage along
        many streams and flooding on the South Platte River.  Many
        foothill communities were isolated as highways were blocked
        and communications disrupted.  Roads were severely damaged
        over a wide area...and a large number of bridges washed out.
        Many roads were closed due to the danger from falling
        rocks.  A building in Georgetown collapsed from the weight
        of heavy wet snow.  In Boulder...a man drowned when caught
        by the flooding waters of Boulder Creek...and a patrolman was
        injured.  Rainfall totaled 7.60 inches in Boulder with
        9.34 inches recorded at the Public Service Company electric
        plant in Boulder Canyon.  In Morrison...rainfall totaled
        11.27 inches in 4 days.  Heavy rainfall totaled 4.68 inches
        at Stapleton International Airport over 3 days from the 5th
        through the 7th.  Rainfall of 3.14 inches was recorded in 24
        hours on the 6th and 7th.  Downstream flooding continued
        along the South Platte River until the 12th when the flood
        crest reached the Nebraska line.
7-8   In 1958...rainfall from the 7th to the 8th...totaled 2.50 inches
        at Stapleton Airport.
8     In 1873...a very light rain fell until 5:00 AM...when it
        turned into light snow and sleet and was accompanied by
        brisk northeast winds.  The snow froze as it fell...
        breaking the telegraph lines in many places.
        Precipitation totaled only 0.14 inch in the city.
      In 1883...a severe rain and hailstorm struck the city.  In
        25 minutes the hail was 5 inches deep in the vicinity of
        the weather office in downtown Denver and reported as
        deep as 10 to 12 inches in other parts of the city.
        Gutters were blocked by the hail...and many cellars were
        flooded.  Precipitation from the storm was 1.90 inches
        with the total for the day recorded at 2.02 inches.  The
        size of the hail was not recorded.
      In 1988...a wind gust to 68 mph was recorded at Echo Lake.
        Northwest winds gusted to 35 mph at Stapleton Airport.
      In 1995...high winds of unknown strength blew a camper shell
        from the back of a pickup truck near Fort Lupton.  North
        winds gusted to 49 mph at Denver International Airport.
      In 1996...1 to 2 inch diameter hail was measured in
        Lochbuie northeast of Denver.  Bean size hail fell in
        Brighton.  The large hail fell from severe thunderstorms
        to the northeast of metro Denver.
      In 2003...tornadoes touched down briefly near Brighton...
        Watkins...and Strasburg...but did no reported damage.
        Hail to 3/4 inch in diameter was measured near Hudson.
      In 2017...severe thunderstorms broke out across Denver and
        the surrounding metro area and produced large damaging
        hail...strong winds...heavy rain and flash flooding. Hail
        up to baseball size...caused extensive property damage to
        cars...homes and businesses across a large part of Denver
        and the western suburbs including Arvada...Lakewood and
        Wheat Ridge. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance
        Agency Association...the storm was Colorados most
        expensive insured catastrophe...around $2.3 billion...and
        the second costliest hailstorm in the United States.
        The group estimated more than 150000 auto insurance
        claims and 50000 homeowner insurance claims would be
        filed.  Businesses and homes sustained holes in siding
        along with broken windows and torn screens. A severe
        thunderstorm producing large hail...strong winds and heavy
        rain impacted areas around Greeley as well. The high cost
        incurred from the storm was due to a number of factors
        including: the size of the hail...the densely populated
        area...the time of day...the escalating costs to repair
        high-tech cars...and more expensive homes. Colorado Mills
        Mall in Lakewood was severely damaged after hail busted
        skylights and caused flooding inside stores. The common
        areas and tenant spaces suffered substantial water damage.
        Extensive damage to electrical systems...mechanical systems...
        including HVAC and lighting...were expected to keep the mall
        closed for several months. In Lakewood...the loss in sales
        tax was projected to be about $350000 per month...which was
        3 to 4 percent of the city`s monthly budget. Prestige
        Imports in Lakewood...estimated 250 to 300 Audis and Porches
        were damaged by the storm. Some of those vehicles were
        valued at nearly $200000 each.  Significant damage was
        reported at Lutheran Medical Center after the hailstorm tore
        through Wheat Ridge. The hospital building and some of the
        medical office buildings sustained broken windows. The storm
        also hit the office of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
        in Lakewood. The offices were flooded...several cubicles
        destroyed...and even some ceiling tiles fell off. The storm
        damage prompted school officials to close all thirteen Adams
        12 Five Star schools in Commerce City and Beach Court
        Elementary school in Denver.  Most of the schools in the
        Adams 12 Five Star District were at least 50 years old and
        sustained flood damage. Large hail damaged an apartment
        building near Regis University...shattered windows and
        punctured the siding on the west-facing side of the building.
        Hail and heavy rain clogged drains and caused flash flooding
        throughout Greeley. Up to three feet of water covered the
        roadway near U.S. 34 and U.S. 85. Greeley firefighters helped
        several residents get out of garden level apartments that had
        flooded. Several other businesses and buildings suffered
        flood damage...including Greeley City Hall and an apartment
        complex in Evans. The Greeley Mall was extensively damaged
        when water poured into the mall from the roof and debris
        inundated the main floor.
8-9   In 1957...from the 8th to the 9th...intense heavy rain
        caused flash flooding on Toll Gate Creek in Aurora
        where 3 people were killed in a car. Up to 4 inches of
        rain fell in 5 hours in the Toll Gate Creek basin.
        The rain also caused flash flooding on Sand Creek in
        Aurora and Denver.  Rainfall totaled 3.29 inches
        at Stapleton Airport with most of the rain...2.34 inches...
        occurring on the 9th.
8-10  In 1979...from the 8th to the 10th...4.3 inches of snow
        fell at Stapleton International Airport where northwest
        winds gusted to 30 mph on the 8th. Most of the snowfall...
        2.3 inches...occurred on the 9th. High temperature of only
        35 degrees on the 9th equaled the record low maximum for
        the date.

$$