Stars and Bars RestorationIf you live in La Junta or anywhere in Otero County, you know summer storms are no joke. The Arkansas River valley runs right through the heart of this region, and when monsoon moisture pushes up from the south and collides with high plains heat, conditions can go from clear to violent in less than an hour.
We cover a lot of ground at Stars and Bars — from Colorado City down through Pueblo, Cañon City, Trinidad, and across to Rocky Ford and the eastern plains. La Junta is a community we know well, and the storm damage patterns out there are as serious as anywhere in our service area.
Why La Junta and Otero County Face Elevated Storm Risk
The Arkansas River at La Junta has reached flood stage more than a dozen times in recorded history. During wet years — and Colorado's monsoon season (roughly June through September) has been delivering real moisture the past few summers — the river can rise quickly, overwhelming drainage systems and threatening homes and businesses near the floodplain.
But flooding isn't the only storm threat in Otero County:
Flash flooding from upstream. Rain events in the Wet Mountains, the Sangre de Cristos, or even upstream near Pueblo can send a wall of water down the Arkansas hours after the rain stops locally. This catches people off guard — it's sunny in La Junta, but the damage still arrives.
Severe thunderstorms and hail. The eastern plains of Colorado are part of "hail alley," a corridor with some of the highest hail frequency in North America. A 20-minute storm can leave roofs punctured, siding shredded, and windows broken — creating instant water intrusion pathways.
High winds. Straight-line winds associated with severe thunderstorms regularly top 60-70 mph across Otero County. Downed trees, torn soffits, and displaced roof sections mean water gets in fast.
Burn scar flooding. The Aspen Acres Fire and other wildfire activity in the mountains above the Arkansas River watershed means burn scar flash flooding is a real downstream threat this summer. Rain that would normally be absorbed hits bare, hydrophobic soil and rushes off at ten times the normal rate — swelling creeks and irrigation channels with very little warning.
What to Do Immediately After a Storm Damages Your Home
The first hour matters a lot. Here's how to handle it:
Ensure Your Family is Safe
If there is any flooding inside your home, don't walk through standing water near electrical outlets or panels. Floodwater from storms or river overflow is also a contamination risk — it picks up sewage, agricultural chemicals, fuel, and other hazardous materials from the landscape it crosses.
If the structure has visible damage — roof collapse, cracked foundation, gas smell — evacuate and call 911.
Photograph and Document Everything
Before you move or throw away anything, document the damage. Take photos and video of every affected room, every damaged item, and every point of entry where water or weather got in. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim.
Stop Active Water Intrusion if You Safely Can
- If a window is broken or a roof section is gone, tarp over it or cover it with plywood to prevent additional rain intrusion
- Move furniture and valuables away from active leaks
- If water is entering through a door or window at ground level, use towels or sandbags to limit spread while you wait for help
Call Your Insurer and Call Us
Start the insurance process quickly — some policies have time requirements for reporting storm damage. Then call Stars and Bars at (719) 676-2456). We're available 24/7 and can be on-site in La Junta within a couple of hours.
Early professional involvement also helps your claim. We provide detailed moisture readings, scoped damage reports, and documentation that supports an accurate settlement.
What Storm Damage Restoration Looks Like
Storm damage restoration isn't just cleanup — it's a structured process to return your home to pre-loss condition and prevent secondary damage like mold.
Emergency Stabilization
Our first priority is stopping further damage. This might mean emergency tarping of a damaged roof, boarding up broken windows, or removing debris from areas where it's causing ongoing harm. We also deploy water extraction equipment immediately if there's interior flooding.
Water Extraction and Structural Drying
Storm-related water intrusion — whether from rain through a compromised roof, floodwater, or storm drainage backup — needs to come out fast. We use truck-mounted extractors and high-capacity pumps to remove standing water, then set industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out structural materials before mold has a chance to take hold.
In our experience, 48-72 hours is the critical window. After that, mold spores that have landed on damp materials begin to colonize. La Junta's summer humidity during monsoon season creates near-ideal conditions for mold growth — so we push hard on drying timeline.
Damage Assessment and Scope of Work
Once the emergency phase is handled, we do a thorough assessment: thermal imaging to find hidden moisture pockets, moisture meter readings in walls and floors, structural evaluation, and documentation of all damage. This becomes the basis for both restoration work and the insurance claim.
Mold Prevention
Any time water gets into a home — especially in areas that stay humid like crawl spaces, basements, or wall cavities — mold is a risk. We apply EPA-registered antimicrobial treatments to affected areas as part of our standard storm restoration process. If we see evidence of existing mold growth, that gets addressed as a separate scope.
You can read more about mold risks and what to watch for in our Southern Colorado mold remediation guide.
Structural Repairs
After everything is dry and sanitized, the repair phase begins. This includes anything from replacing drywall sections and flooring to roof repair and reconstruction. We handle the full scope — not just the cleanup — so you're dealing with one contractor from start to finish.
Navigating the Insurance Claim in Otero County
Most homeowners' policies cover sudden and accidental storm damage — hail, wind, lightning, falling trees — though flooding from rising water sources (rivers, overland flow) typically requires separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
If you're in a floodplain near the Arkansas River in La Junta, La Junta Irrigation District, or low-lying areas in Fowler or Manzanola, it's worth reviewing whether you have flood coverage before the next storm season arrives.
Here's how to work the claim process effectively:
- Report quickly — Most policies require prompt notification. Don't wait.
- Don't sign anything from your insurer that releases your right to additional funds before the full scope is known
- Get an independent scope — The adjuster works for your insurer. Our scope of work is independent and often captures damage the initial inspection misses.
- Document your personal property losses too — Furniture, electronics, and belongings damaged in a storm event may be covered under personal property coverage
- Understand your deductible — Colorado policies often have separate wind/hail deductibles that are higher than your standard deductible
We've helped homeowners and businesses across the Arkansas River corridor through the claims process. We're straightforward about what's covered, what isn't, and what your realistic outcome looks like.
La Junta and Surrounding Communities We Serve
Stars and Bars covers all of Otero County and neighboring Crowley and Bent counties. If you're in La Junta, Rocky Ford, Fowler, Manzanola, Swink, Cheraw, Las Animas, or the surrounding rural areas, we can reach you. We also cover the communities along Highway 50 back toward Pueblo — Ordway, Crowley, Sugar City.
The eastern plains don't have the same density of restoration companies as Colorado Springs or Pueblo, which means response times from the big national chains can stretch to four or five hours. We're closer, and we move fast.
When the Next Storm Hits, We're Ready
The Arkansas River valley has seen real weather events over the past few summers — and the combination of an active monsoon season, ongoing wildfire burn scars in the watershed, and aging housing stock in communities like La Junta means storm damage is a genuine recurring risk.
If a storm damages your La Junta area home, call Stars and Bars Restoration immediately at (719) 676-2456). We're IICRC certified, veteran-owned, and we operate 24/7. We'll tell you exactly what we're seeing and what needs to happen — no runaround.
You can also read our water damage emergency checklist for broader guidance on the first steps after any water intrusion event.
Stars and Bars Restoration | IICRC Certified | Veteran-Owned | Colorado City, CO | (719) 676-2456 | services@sb-resto.com