Tag Archives: Rocky Mountain National Park

Photos: Colorado Flooding: 4 Died, Forecast More Rain

2 Replies

An aerial view shows flood waters and a washed-out road adjacent a suburban neighborhood in Lyons, Colorado September 13, 2013. REUTERS/John Wark

Flooding in Colorado is not yet over as more heavy rains is forecast through Sunday.

Some parts of the state have already received 15 inches of rain.

At least four people were killed and lots more were unaccounted for.

(Please click here for Colorado Flooding Leaves Three People Dead)

Buildings, roads and bridges were damaged by the flood waters.

CNN reported that 17 miles of Highway 34, was badly damaged and will need to be rebuilt.

In at least one community, the flooding caused sewer grates to erupt into huge black geysers.

Flood water shoots out of a sewer next to the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colo., Sept. 12, 2013. / AP PHOTO/THE GAZETTE

Flood water shoots out of a sewer next to the Cliff House in Manitou Springs, Colo., Sept. 12, 2013. / AP PHOTO/THE GAZETTE

The National Park Service closed Rocky Mountain National Park and was escorting people from nearby Estes Park along a trail over the Continental Divide.

On Friday, the Colorado Department of Transportation shut down about 90 miles of Interstate 25, from Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming, because of flooding on the St. Vrain, Poudre and Big Thompson rivers.

A lot of towns were cut off because of the disaster including Lyons which was cut off after flood waters washed out the U.S. Route 36.

Thousands of people has been evacuated from the flooded area but some are still stranded.

People were also been evacuated from Eldorado Springs, Fort Collin and other places along the flooded rivers.

According to the weather service, Cache La Poudre River is expected to rise to nearly two feet above flood stage.

Bridges were closed after water began topping Seaman Reservoir in the Poudre Canyon.

The weather service warned Friday of more flash flooding in Loveland.

In the town of Drake, the Big Thompson River was more than four feet above flood stage.

Rain from the same storm also drenched New Mexico, sending rivers out of their banks and causing some roads to be closed.

Evacuations were reported from Las Vegas to Truth or Consequences.

(Please click the photos for larger images)

Colorado Flooding Leaves Three People Dead

3 Replies
People shovel dirt and debris to create dikes to help divert water from their homes as heavy rains cause severe flooding in Boulder, Colorado September 12, 2013. (REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell)

In Colorado, heavy rains and scarring from recent wildfires sent walls of water crashing down mountainsides early Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 causing flash floods.

For updated version, click here

At least three people were killed and another person is still missing.

The flood toppled buildings and stranded motorists.

Three cars fell into the creek when the bridge on a business access road at Highway 287 and Dillon Road at the Broomfield and Lafayette border collapsed.

Access to the mountain community of Lyons has been completely cut off because of by the flood.

The rains transformed Boulder Creek, into a raging torrent that spilled over its banks and flooded adjacent parking lots and streets.

St. Vrain River has also overflowed.

The city of Boulder and some other towns along the Front Range of the Rockies were especially hard hit as flood waters came down from the rain-soaked mountainsides.

The flooding was reported all along the Front Range, from Colorado Springs to north of Fort Collins but Boulder County was hardest hit, with up to 6 inches of rain falling over 12 hours.

(Please click the photos for larger images)