Colorado Floods Cause Massive Destruction
From the archive: published Sep 12, 2013, 13 years ago. Details may have changed since.
Colorado floods have caused massive destruction. At least two people are dead and numerous homes were destroyed. The flooding was caused by three days of relentless heavy rain.
Several areas reported more than seven inches of rain.
Boulder and Jefferson counties are under a flash flood emergency. Portions of Adams, Bloomfield, El Paso, Larimer, and Weld counties, are also included in the emergencies.
The National Weather Service warns residents to be cautious. Several communities were evacuated due to high water and the risk of landslides.
Gabrielle Boerkircher, with the Boulder Office of Emergency Management, says numerous public buildings are closed. As reported by Fox News, the closures include libraries, public offices, and recreation facilities.
Jamestown has experienced widespread destruction. The Colorado floods are blamed for the collapse of several buildings and homes. At least one person was killed inside a collapsed building.
Rescue teams are attempting to access the area. However, landslides have blocked their route. Landslides have temporarily closed portions of US 6, Colorado 14, and US 287, and Lefthand Canyon.
In Boulder, The University of Colorado cancelled classes. Nearly 400 students were evacuated from university housing.
Residents in the affected areas are reminded to be wary of low-lying areas. Areas near creeks and rivers are a specific concern.
Drivers are reminded to refrain from driving through flooded roads. Emergency Management spokesman Andrew Barth has advised against travel “because the roads are so bad.”
Authorities have rescued numerous people who were stranded on the road. As reported by NBC News, one woman was found standing on the side of her overturned car. She was stranded, as the flood waters surrounded the vehicle.
At least one person died on the road. Authorities recovered a body from I-25 early this morning.
Just after 6 am, the Meadow Lake Dam broke. Authorities are working to repair the damage.
The Colorado floods have devastated numerous communities. The Weather Channel reports that heavy rain is expected to continue through Sunday.