Debris from storms forces closure of Transmountain Road, St. Augustine Pass

UPDATE, Aug. 14: Authorities shut down Transmountain Road in both directions through El Paso for a third-straight day as storms dropping up to five inches of rain across the city resulted in debris, such as mud and rocks, washing onto the roadway.

This latest closure took effect at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, according to police, about five hours after the road had been reopened after being cleared for a second time.

Meantime, similar problems with roadway debris from floodwaters also plagued U.S. 70, San Augustine Pass, in southern New Mexico.

Transportation officials said it was shut down from Nasa Road at milepost 161 to the entrance at Holloman Air Force Base at milepost 205. Traffic was being detoured to U.S. 54 as crews worked to try and clear out tons of debris and mud with heavy equipment.

Borderland real-time traffic conditions are always available at kvia.com/traffic.

ORIGINAL REPORT, Aug. 13: EL PASO, Texas -- As storms began rolling through the El Paso area for a second straight evening, state transportation officials again announced the closure of Transmountain Road.

The Texas Department of Transportation said they were shutting down Transmountain as of 6 p.m. Friday due to debris, such as mud and rocks, that had washed onto the roadway as a result of heavy rain.

A Flash Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service was in effect for El Paso County on Friday evening due to the rainfall being produced by thunderstorms.

Current El Paso area traffic conditions can be viewed at kvia.com/traffic.