9.13.13 @ 11:22 am -- Good morning, I hope it's a good morning for everyone. I got up late this morning (up late following this) to the news that evacs are now happening in Las Vegas, New Mexico - so, for my fellow NM Kossacks please stay safe!
http://livewire.koat.com/...
My schedule prevents me from running a live blog today, so if anyone wants to start another diary please feel free. Or continue to chime in on this one; I will check in from time to time. Thanks to all who've shared and checked in, and thanks for putting this on the rec list (not for me, but for the folks in the flood zones who deserved to have this witnessed). Stay safe and as dry as you can!
Back to the original diary beginning:
It's really bad there, folks. Boulder is completely cut off, road closures everywhere, several deaths reported, and a dam failure Rocky Mtn Arsenal Wildlife Refuge has forced evacuations in Commerce City. There are many areas under evac orders as well. Pres. Obama has signed authorization for disaster relief in 3 counties.
Livestream from Denver Channel 7: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/...
and let me take this break to give a huge shout-out to all EMS personnel, law enforcement, first responders, animal rescuers and everyone who is working to keep loss of life at a minimum. Thank you, and stay safe!
Updated map of shelters and emergency sources:
http://www.denverpost.com/...
I'm hardly an expert on this, just watching from twitter (I'll post links after the jump) but I thought there really should be a diary on this. (I know there was a diary by akmk earlier today) I hope someone more familiar with the area will bring us up to date. And I hope area Kossacks will check in when they can and let us know they're okay. We'll be thinking of you.
Links as I find them:
Twitter #coflood: https://twitter.com/...
Boulder evac centers & road closures: http://boulderoem.com/...
Google map with emergency info: https://mapsengine.google.com/...
Right now I can't find a live feed for local news, but I'm sure there are some, so if anyone could post in a comment I'll try to get it up here.
FYI, we've been getting a lot of the same storm system all over NM, and while there has flooding in some areas it's pretty localized and nothing what our neighboring state to the north is getting. I can't remember rains like this in mid-September in NM, so it really makes me feel for the folks in Colorado. May all be safe!
8:51 PM PT: Flood warnings now extending into Denver:
9:05 PM PT: Welp, that 500 year flood claim may be an underestimate ~
9:14 PM PT: If you know anyone in Boulder - tell them to get the heck away from Boulder Creek!
9:18 PM PT: Evac orders now in Boulder:
9:27 PM PT: Looks like ABQ may join in on the fun:
(not worried, I'm on high ground and actually we have flash flood warnings every time a t-storm comes through)
10:34 PM PT: Full story link from the Denver Post, notes that 3 deaths confirmed:
http://www.denverpost.com/...
h/t to Horace Boothroyd III for the link.
Also, h/t to DownstateDemocrat for this video of flooding in Estes Park:
https://www.facebook.com/...
10:45 PM PT: Jeepers. Here's a map of the area ordered to evacuate in Boulder (but where are they gonna go? the town's cut off by highway access, iirc):
10:46 PM PT: For pet evacs in Colorado Springs area:
10:51 PM PT: Updates and pics from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, h/t to PhoenixRising:
https://www.facebook.com/...
10:53 PM PT: More on Boulder evac orders:
10:55 PM PT: Another good link - social media live feed from the Daily Camera:
http://www.dailycamera.com/...
11:31 PM PT: Evac order just now for Eldorado Springs ~
11:40 PM PT: Looks Boulder is getting a reprieve from that "wall of water." Situation still dangerous though. And I'm hearing the weatherguy on Ch. 7 compare this to a tropical storm, fwiw.
11:55 PM PT: Flash flood emergency warning for Big Thompson & Loveland area - seek higher ground now. per Channel 7 livestream: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/...
11:58 PM PT: More on Loveland evac order: Sounds bad, phones out and EMS can't get into the area. Asking people to "seek higher ground" - ie, head UPHILL!
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:06 AM PT: Ch.7 reporter in Boulder points out that sound and force of Boulder Creek is much more right now, most intense since he go there this afternoon.
Also - Poudre River canyon has evac order.
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:15 AM PT: Boulder can't catch a break - NWS says 1-3 more inches of rain overnight!
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:43 AM PT: Update on Big Thompson flood levels:
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:45 AM PT: List of school & business closings:
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:46 AM PT: I heard the sheriff say this pipe popped out the ground like "a big drinking straw" - such is the force of the flood water!
Fri Sep 13, 2013 at 12:54 AM PT: Flash Flood Watch through 6 am in the green area:
and that's all I can do for tonight folks - time for bed, hope things are brighter in the morning.