Updated Tuesday, 9:35 a.m.
Southern Colorado is recovering from thunderstorms that caused widespread flooding, mudslides and other damage Monday.
Officials warn that more storms are possible in the region Tuesday, but the National Weather Service says those storms are expected to be "less widespread/less severe" than Monday's.
The National Weather Service provided this radar look at Monday's storms:
Evolution of yesterday's (7/23) storms as viewed from the Pueblo radar. Also included are NWS severe thunderstorm, tornado, and flash flood warnings. #cowx pic.twitter.com/uoOBrvGCtK
— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) July 24, 2018
U.S. Highway 24 is open, following a closure that lasted roughly four hours between Green Mountain Falls and Cave of the Winds due to flooding and mudslides.
US 24: Road open between Mountain Glen Ct and 3rd St (near Woodland Park).
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) July 24, 2018
CDOT has also reopened a section of U.S. 50 near La Junta, which was closed Monday night.
Meanwhile, heavy rain caused flooding in Manitou Springs Monday afternoon, leading the city to issue evacuation orders for low-lying areas.
#Update - reverse 911 calls went out to 450 homes in the Ute Pass area. @manitouGOV is evacuating low lying areas. Anybody in a low lying area under a flash flood warning should get to higer ground immediately...
— El Paso County PIO (@epcpio) July 23, 2018
The El Paso County Office of Emergency Management reports "heavy damage and debris along Ruxton Ave and Canon Ave" in Manitou Springs, as well as flooded basements and substantial damage to gravel roads throughout the Ute Pass area. The county says it is responding to requests for heavy equipment to aid in clean up efforts in Manitou Springs and other parts of the county.
Manitou Springs Mayor Ken Jaray issued the following statement about storm damage in the city:
In southern El Paso County, officials are responding to road damage and downed power lines from Security-Widefield to the Pueblo County line.
The City of Colorado Springs is also reporting damage in North Cheyenne Cañon Park as a result of Monday's storm.
ALERT! Due to today’s rainstorm, North Cheyenne Cañon Park and the section of Gold Camp Road that runs through the park is closed due to scree slides. @COSpringsParks is working to clear the debris and anticipates opening the park by Tuesday afternoon.
— City of Colorado Springs (@springsgov) July 24, 2018
Teller County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, Commander Greg Couch, captured the scene further up Ute Pass Monday afternoon as heavy rain caused flooding in Crystola:
This is an extremely dangerous situation with the flooding. Please stay home do not drive into any rushing water. This one almost took us #cowx pic.twitter.com/QLDCkiJrI3
— Cdr. Greg Couch, PIO (@TCSOPIO) July 23, 2018
As some communties continue to face flash flood warnings, the National Weather Service reminds people in affected areas that "excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage and low-lying spots."
Red Cross shelters in Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, which opened for several hours Monday, have been closed.
