Colorado Water Conservation Board Launches Website for Watering Restrictions

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has launched a new website where residents across Colorado can quickly link to information about watering restrictions affecting their local community. The new website, www.COH2O.co, provides search features that allow visitors to quickly link to their water utility and learn of any local water restrictions that may be in place because of below-average precipitation and reservoir storage in many areas of Colorado.

To learn more about drought, including local and state planning, water conservation, current statewide conditions, water supply projects, newsletters, and to access the drought planning toolbox, visit the CWCB Drought home page.

For additional information, contact Taryn Finnessy, in the CWCB Water Supply Planning Section, at (303) 866-3441 x3231, or at taryn.finnessy@state.co.us.
You can also follow CWCB's drought response on Twitter by following @CO_H2O or www.twitter.com/CO_H2O
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Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week: The Week in Review

Colorado has more than its fair share of floods, flash floods, and wildfires. During the past week, in our effort to build a Weather-Ready Nation, we have presented information to you on how to stay safe and minimize property damage during flood and wildfire threats.

When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, you need to quickly move to higher ground out of drainages or other low spots. It may be just a short run or climb to that higher ground.

Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Do not drive through a flooded roadway. Instead “turn around...don’t drown”. The water may be much deeper than you think, because it may not be possible to see below the flood waters that the roadway has been washed away. One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles. Additional flood safety information can be found at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.

Areas burned by wildfires are highly susceptible to flash floods, especially within the first two or three years after the wildfire has occurred. Wildfires by themselves destroy much property and occasionally result in fatalities within Colorado. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and minimize the wildfire threat to your property.

If you live near or within a forest or rangeland, you are encouraged to make a defensible space around your home and other structures. Information on how to make a defensible space around your home can be found on the Colorado State Forest Service website at
http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/defensible-space.html

River flooding from snowmelt or persistent rainfall can cause extensive damage to property. There are estimated to be 65,000 homes and 15,000 commercial, industrial, and business structures in identified floodplains within Colorado. FEMA has online maps that show if you are in a flood risk area. To access those maps, go to https://msc.fema.gov

If you live in a flood prone area, buying flood insurance is the best thing you can do to protect your home, your business, your family and your financial security. To find an insurance agent and obtain other flood insurance information, go to FEMA’s national flood insurance program web site at www.floodsmart.gov.

As a reminder there is generally a 30-day waiting period from the time a flood insurance policy is purchased to when it goes into effect.

Additional information on floods and wildfires is available from your local national weather service web sites…

www.weather.gov/denver NWS Denver web site
www.weather.gov/pueblo NWS Pueblo web site
www.weather.gov/goodland NWS Goodland web site
www.weather.gov/gjt NWS Grand Junction web site

 This article provided by Colorado National Weather Service.
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OEM Monitoring Winter Weather Moving Across Colorado: #COwx

Weather projections show a cold front will be moving in around 6 p.m. tonight and should see snow showers starting between 6 - 9 p.m. this evening.

Metro Area - I-25 Corridor North - Snow Advisory
Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulation of 5-10". 3-6" tonight through the morning and another 2-4" tomorrow.
Winds: Northerly winds 10-25 MPH with gusts up to 25-30 MPH.
Visibility: Could be 1/4 mile or less at times.
The storm should be clearing out of this area around 6 p.m. tomorrow night.

Northeast Region - Winter Storm Warning
Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulation of 8-14" primarily east of a line from Greeley to Elbert County, with a total of 4-7" west of this line.
Winds: Northerly winds 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 35-40 MPH.
Visibility: Could be 1/4 mile or less at time due to blowing and driving snow.
The storm should be clearing out of the Northeast region in the late evening hour tomorrow night.

Palmer Divide - East - Winter Storm Warning
Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulation along the Palmer Divide / Castle Rock area of 4-8" going east toward Limon total accumulation of 6-10".
Winds: Northerly winds 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 35 MPH.
Visibility: Could be 1/4 mile or less at time due to blowing and driving snow.
The storm should be clearing out of the Palmer Divide area late afternoon or in the early evening hours tomorrow.

Foothills - Snow Advisory
Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulation of 6-11".
Winds: Northerly winds 10-25 MPH with gusts up to 25-30 MPH.
Visibility: Could be 1/4 mile or less at times.
The storm should be clearing out of this area around 6:00 p.m. tomorrow night.

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DHSEM Update: March 22, 2013



Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Update

 

Information and Updates

Funeral and Memorial Service Set for Tom Clements


A public memorial service for Tom Clements is set for Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. at New Life Church, 11025 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs. A private funeral is set for Sunday. 

Denver Nuggets Night for Emergency Management and First Responders


Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) has partnered with the Denver Nuggets to provide a night for First Responders, Emergency Managers and related agencies. Discounted tickets and fun at the Pepsi Center will take place on Thursday, April 4th at 7 p.m. against the mavericks. Download the Nuggets flyer or visit www.nuggetstix.com/0404cema. 

South Central Regional Field Manager Named


The Office of Emergency Management is pleased to announce that Paul Eller has accepted the position of Regional Field Manager for the South Central Region. Eller started on March 18, 2013. He comes to OEM from the City of Montrose, where he was the emergency manager and a sergeant with the police department. 

FEMA Provides a New Way to View Flood Risk in Your Community


Access your community’s preliminary flood hazard data in one centralized and easily accessible location. Preliminary data provide an early look at your home or community’s risk to flood hazards. The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to make this data available on the Map Service Center (MSC) soon. 

By making this data available on the MSC, nation-wide preliminary data will be in a one easily accessible place along with FEMA’s other flood mapping products and tools. Citizens can now access both preliminary and effective flood hazard data on the same site through the MSC’s quick and easy search functions. 

Know your flood risk and visit http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata for more information.

FEMA Student Identification (SID)


A FEMA Student Identification number is required for everyone taking a FEMA course. If you have not visited the FEMA SID website to register for a new number you must do so before enrolling in another course. You cannot use your social security number as you have in the past.

A FEMA SID number is a unique number generated and assigned to anyone who needs or is required to take training provided by a FEMA organization. Your FEMA SID uniquely identifies you throughout the FEMA organization and all of its agencies. The goal is for your FEMA SID to serve as your personal identification number instead of your Social Security Number (SSN) in support of FEMA’s effort to decrease/cease the use of SSN for identifying and tracking individuals.

A FEMA SID is required to register for and participate in any training provided by FEMA agencies. All FEMA training providers’ registration systems and enrollment procedures require a valid FEMA SID. Your FEMA SID serves as your personal identification number and merges/links/connects/combines all of your FEMA training records under one account to simplify keeping track of all your FEMA training accomplishments.  

Learn more about the FEMA Student Identification (FEMA SID) number 

Educational Resources

Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service Set for May 4


NFPA’s first Wildfire Preparedness Day of Service will be held on May 4, 2013 in Colorado. The NFPA is calling all those in Colorado to participate in a statewide day of wildfire service. Visit the NFPA Wildfire Safety Blog for specific information on how your neighborhood, community, agency or county can be involved. An official State Proclamation has been issued for the May 4 event. 

Fraud Prevention and Safety Summit


Share this opportunity through your networks and in your community. This is a one-day, no cost event that empowers seniors with tools and information to avoid fraud before it happens. Participants will: 
  • Learn how to protect yourself and safeguard information.
  • Identify resources available to the community.
  • Area agency exhibitors available at event.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lone Tree Arts Center. It is sponsored by the 18th Judicial District Attorney Office. Registration is required by calling 1-877-926-8300. Download the Fraud Prevention and Safety Summit Flyer for additional information. 

Post Wildfire Flood Information


Colorado’s Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week wraps up tomorrow. There were several resources shared over the week by the partnering agencies. All of the articles are posted on www.COEmergency.com. Today’s post includes a Flood After Fire Fact Sheet from the National Flood Insurance Program. Three key points shared on the fact sheet are: 

1. The Time to Prepare is Now. Gather supplies in case of a storm strengthen your home against damage and review your insurance coverage.

2. Only Flood Insurance covers Flood Damage. Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage.

3. Plan Ahead. Plan evacuation routes. Keep important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Conduct a home inventory; itemize and take pictures of possessions. 

Creating Fire Adapted Communities Case Study Video


The Fire Adapted Communities (FAC) Coalition has released a new report, "Lessons from Waldo Canyon" and a companion video, "Creating Fire Adapted Communities: A Case Study from Colorado Springs and the Waldo Canyon Fire." The report and video are based on interviews, field visits and tours of the City's most affected neighborhoods conducted by the FAC Coalition's assessment team during a three day visit to the area in July 2012. These new resources share the post-fire field investigation, and stress the importance of communities becoming fire adapted. To read the full report visit: http://www.fireadapted.org. 

The 10 New Rules of Crisis Communication


Melissa Agnes shared these rules on her Social Media Crisis Communication website this week. It has some great reminders and tips for anyone charged with sharing information using social media.

1. Communications are now a 2-way street, whether you want them to be or not.

2. Real-time is not just a suggestion but an expectation of your audience. An expectation that will not turn in your favor if unmet.

3. Informative is the only way. If you’re not informative somebody else will be – on their own channels that you have zero control over.

4. Listen, listen, listen! Listen to what others are saying, what they’re not saying and where they are and are not saying it.

5. When you combine real-time and 2-way you get responsive. Your audience will be responsive and so must you.

6. Sincerity, honesty and apologies go a long way. But remember: actions speak so much louder than words.

7. Humans dealing with humans. Your brand may be a brand, but it is run by humans communicating with other humans. Act like it.

8. Adaptability and flexibility are highly recommended. Adapt your crisis communications for different platforms and audiences that you need to communicate your messages with and on.

9. Twitter-friendly communications are your friend. For every update, response and statement you release have a Twitter version.

10. Communicate with your staff throughout the entire crisis. Internal communications are key to today’s successful crisis management. 

Training Information

Office of Preparedness Training and Exercise Program


The Training and Exercise Program has assigned regional points of contact for each of the nine all-hazard regions. 
Training and Exercise Program Manager is Beth Roome.

· Northwest Region – Beth Roome

· Northeast Region – Michael Bean

· North Central Region – Melissa Arnett

· South Central Region – Michael Bean

· West Region – Beth Roome

· Southwest Region – Robyn Knappe

· San Luis Valley Region – Robyn Knappe

· South Region – Robyn Knappe

· Southeast Region – Michael Bean
 

The Training and Exercise Program serves its stakeholders by offering products and services in a wide variety of areas. The following is a brief list of some of the areas in which the Training and Exercise Program can offer assistance:

1. Emergency Management Training

2. Homeland Security Training

3. Disaster Exercise Coordination

4. Training and Exercise Plan Workshops (TEPW)

5. National Domestic Preparedness

6. Consortium (NDPC)

7. Exercise Guidance

8. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)

9. Public Health Training

10. RTIPP Planning

11. Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

12. CO.Train Registration Portal

13. Training Delivery and Facilitation

View the Training and Exercise Program Information Sheet. 

Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools Course


The Northeast Region is holding an emergency preparedness class for educational institutions. Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools is a Homeland Security supported class that will, when applied increase school safety. This is a no cost training opportunity. 

Mass Casualty Incident Command System (MCICS400)


MCICS 400 Hospital Evacuation and Surge Training is a unified command approach designed to build “Community Interoperability” of Hospitals’ and Public Safety/EMS Emergency Operations Plans (EOP) for Hospital Evacuation. The course is scheduled for April 19-20, 2013 in Wheat Ridge. Register for the course at www.co.train.org or view the MCICS Course Flyer. 

Public Information Officer and Crisis Communication Trainings Being Planned


There have been several requests for public information and crisis communication trainings in the state. Micki Trost, DHSEM PIO, is working with the Office of Preparedness Training Program to bring in several opportunities for 2013. Although locations have not been finalized for some of these we wanted you to have the opportunity to share time on your calendars. Registration for all trainings will occur through www.co.train.org when all logistics are finalized.

  • G290 Public Information Officer Courses
    • June 3-4 (Colorado Springs)
    • October 31 and November 1
    • December 5-6
  • G291 Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Course
    • June 5 (Colorado Springs)
  • April 15-19, 2013 (Frederick): S403/ L962 All-Hazards Public Information Officer Course
  • August 27-28, 2013 (State EOC): Argonne National Laboratory’s Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Training
  • September: Social Media training offered at State EOC and Western Slope by the National Preparedness Center from the University of Hawaii. 

Training Calendar and Announcements

March Courses


April Courses











  • April 29-30, 2013 (Aspen), ICS400: Advanced Incident Command System, Registration: COTRAIN, Course ID 1006001, Contact: Robyn Knappe

May Courses


August Courses


September Courses


October Courses




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Post Wildfire Flood Insurance

Only flood insurance covers flood damage.  
Most standard homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, yet floods are the most common and costly natural hazard in the nation. Wildfires often exacerbate the flood problem. After a wildfire, vegetation that once absorbed rainfall and reduced runoff may be entirely gone. Even soil, once soaking up the water, becomes charred and resistant to absorption. The post-wildfire conditions contributing to flash flooding may persist for 5-10 years. The FEMA Flood After Fire Fact Sheet provides additional information on risks and protection. 

Post wildfire flash floods can occur within minutes of a rainstorm. Flood water may pick up debris and ash left from the fire forming mudflows. Flooding and mudflows can cause significant damage and bring high out-of-pocket costs to property owners. Without flood insurance, many property owners will cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding on their own. 

Be FloodSmart and reduce your risk.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. The FEMA Wildfire and Flood Risks tri-fold provides information on flooding, mudflows, and landslides along with insurance considerations. 

Find out more about the NFIP and how it can help you protect yourself. Visit the home page of the NFIP at FloodSmart.gov. 

Floodplain Management and National Flood Insurance Program Contacts: 
Michael Gease, Natural Hazards Specialist, FEMA, (303) 235-4814, michael.gease@fema.dhs.gov  
Jamie Prochno, Community Assistance Program Manager, Colorado Water Conservation Board, (303) 866-3441 x3215, jamie.prochno@state.co.us
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Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness: Wildfire Safety and Mitigation

During this Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week we have discussed floods, flash floods, and how to stay safe when flooding threatens. We also told you that areas burned by wildfires are highly susceptible to flash floods within the first two or three years after the wildfire. 

 Today we will provide you with information about wildfire safety and mitigation that could save your life and minimize destruction to your personal property.

All wildfires need fuel to burn, typically in the form of dry vegetation, as often occurs in forests, grasslands, and cured wheat fields. Tragically, some wildfires also kill people and destroy homes, vehicles, and other personal property. If you live near or within a forest, grassland, or wheat field, there are some actions you can take to minimize your vulnerability to wildfires.

If you are a homeowner, the first defense against wildfire is to create and maintain a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is the area around a home or other structure where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire. Creating wildfire-defensible zones also reduces the chance of a structure fire spreading to neighboring homes or the surrounding forest. Defensible space also provides room for firefighters to do their jobs when fighting a wildfire.

More information on how to make a defensible space around your home can be found on the Colorado State Forest Service website at http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/defensible-space.html

During periods of extreme fire danger in forests and rangelands: 
  • you should avoid being in areas where you might become trapped by a wildfire.
  • you should avoid the use of matches or anything else which could ignite a fire.
  • make sure that hot parts of motorized equipment, such as mufflers, are not allowed to come in contact with dry grasses or other potentially flammable material.
If you become trapped or cut off by a wildfire seek shelter in areas with little or no fuel such as rock slide areas or lakes.  

 For more information on wildfires and fire safety, please check out the following web addresses:
Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week continues through this Saturday. 

 This article is provided by the Colorado National Weather Service. 
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Colorado Flood Decision Support System: Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week

Developed for the Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), the Colorado Flood Decision Support System (DSS) provides a one-stop shop for floodplain and emergency managers for snowpack, streamflow, flood maps, and other related data to allow them to estimate risk and near future conditions up to and above a National Weather Service (NWS) flood warning and alert.

The Flood DSS is a web based GIS mapping application that displays a variety of flood-related data, including: historic flooding, critical facilities, community flood insurance information, wildfire risk, and FEMA flood hazard layers. In addition to the regulatory and hazard information, a real-time data component was included, which is useful for assessing current and near-future conditions. The real time data consists of precipitation radar, streamflow conditions, air temperature, gauge measured precipitation, NWS and NOAA radar estimated precipitation products, flood warnings, U.S.D.A.’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) SNOTEL data (SNOwpack TELemetry), and the Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) modeled spatial snowpack data. CWCB and HDR’s seasonal Flood Threat Bulletin products are also available in spatial and text format from May to September. Features within the application allow users to find locations by address, provide distance measuring tools, and the ability to identify features for more information.

To get started, check out the Decision Support System home page. From here, you can explore the CDSS Map View and Flood DSS and download data. You can also follow the Flood DSS on Twitter at @FloodDSS.

Future phases may include incorporating more data layers and possibly even a mobile application for smart phones. Customer feedback and suggestions are welcomed for future phases of Colorado’s Decision Support Systems and can be sent to ray.alvarado@state.co.us or carolyn.fritz@state.co.us.
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Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week: Wildfire Safety

The names roll off the tongue the 2000s have been rough years for fire in Colorado: Hayman Fire, Four Mile Fire, High Park Fire, Missionary Ridge Fire, Waldo Canyon Fire. These are but a few of the fires we have seen in the past 10 to 15 years. Drought and pine beetle damage increase of habitation in the urban interface years of tight fire management have all contributed to the increase of high impact fires.   

To assist in your preparation for fire potential the National Weather Service provides a variety of fire weather forecast products.   Twice a day in Colorado Fire weather planning forecasts are made from each weather service office serving the state.   A fire weather watch may be issued if in the next 12 to 48 hours the forecast includes gusty winds of 25 mph or greater relative humidity of less than 15% for at least three hours, dry thunderstorms, or a combination of weather and fuel conditions that may make large wildfires possible.   A red flag warning will be issued if these same critical fire conditions are forecast within the next 24 hours. Both fire weather watches and red flag warnings are issued in coordination with land management agencies. 

The fire weather spot program supports land management agencies for both prescribed burns and for wildfires. A fire weather spot forecast is a detailed forecast for an individual fire. 

For national Type II or Type I fires the national weather service will detail an IMET (Incident Meteorologist) to a fire team to provide onsite weather support and detailed fire forecasts.

If you live in the urban interface there are a number of actions you can take to reduce your personal fire threat including reducing vegetation near the home and putting a fire resistant roof on your home. More information is available from your local fire department.

When a fire occurs, there may be years of increased flood threat on the burn scar, as a healthy forest can handle an inch to inch and a half of rain with no flood risk. Once the litter and vegetation is removed by fire…as little as a half inch of rain in a short period can cause serious and possibly life threatening flooding.  

Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week continues through this Saturday.   
This article was provided by the Colorado National Weather Service.
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Governor Proclaims this week as 2013 Colorado Wildfire and Flood Awareness Week


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Larimer County Flood Mitigation Success Story: Colorado Wildfire and Flood Awareness Safety Awareness Week

Coal Creek Flood Mitigation Project


The completion of the Coal Creek Flood Mitigation Project with the support of a FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant has taken much of the Town of Wellington out of the 100 year floodplain.

The Town of Wellington had close to 200 homes, dozens of businesses, and two schools mapped in the Coal Creek floodplain for more than 50 years. It is within the Boxelder Creek Watershed in northern Colorado. Kevin Houck of the Colorado Water Conservation Board noted that prior to mitigation, the regulatory floodplain associated with this watershed contained an extraordinary number of properties. As a result this watershed was one of the more difficult to regulate as well as one of the more potentially dangerous watersheds in Colorado from a flood hazard perspective. The Boxelder Basin has a massive size of more than 265 square miles. Just from the Coal Creek tributary of the Boxelder Basin, 100-year flows of 1,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) were expected through the Town.

A number of years ago, a multi-jurisdictional stormwater master plan was completed to address the risk. It identified three regionally significant projects to mitigate the stormwater needs, the first of which was the Coal Creek Flood Mitigation Project to address flooding through the Town of Wellington.

The Coal Creek Flood Mitigation Project was designed to intercept flows north of the Town, convey them to the existing Clark Irrigation Storage Reservoir, and temporarily detain a volume of up to 540 acre-feet of floodwater. This required expansion of the Clark Reservoir inlet canal and the addition of flood storage within the reservoir. The original estimated project budget in the master plan was $6 million to $8 million.

In order to make the project feasible from both an engineering and financial perspective, the team developed an innovative and multi-pronged approach to create the necessary storage in Clark Reservoir. This included raising the emergency spillway to add 175 acre-feet, dredging to add 100 acre-feet, and developing a “shared storage” agreement with the owner of the reservoir, North Poudre Irrigation Company, for the remaining 265 acre-feet. The shared storage concept involves the irrigation company limiting the amount of irrigation water it stores during the May-through-September flood season such that 265 acre-feet of storage is available for stormwater. This innovative approach also avoided potential impacts to more than 12 acres of wetlands. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to the concept as long as it was included in an Operations and Maintenance Agreement between the parties.

The construction of the project included dredging 170,000 cubic yards of sediment from Clark Reservoir. The material was dredged and pumped about a mile to the north and dewatered in a series of dewatering cells, with the return flow brought back into the Clark Reservoir.

The final project cost was $5.1 million. A FEMA pre-disaster flood mitigation (PDM) grant administered through the Colorado Office of Emergency Management provided $2.9 million in funding for the Coal Creek project. The remaining $2.2 million was paid for with matching funds from stormwater fees collected by participating jurisdictions Wellington, Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins. Larimer County managed the project with consultant Ayres Associates providing engineering services. The project was completed within one month of the three-year PDM grant period. The Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority will operate and maintain this component of the flood control project.

The revised floodplain mapping became effective February 4, 2013. The Coal Creek Flood Mitigation Project practically and economically accomplished the goal of benefiting the occupants of nearly 200 homes, two schools, and several dozen businesses in the Town of Wellington by protecting them from the 100-year Coal Creek flood flows.




Project Photos






Inlet Canal During Contruction

Dewatering Cells

Dredging

Contact Information:

Larimer County Engineering Department (Mark Peterson, PE), 970.498.5714, MPeterson@larimer.org

Consultant:
Ayres Associates (Andrea Faucett, PE), 970.223.5556, FaucettA@AyresAssociates.com

Completed On Behalf Of: Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority (Stan Myers, PE), 970.669.3611 stanm@pinnacleconsultinggroupinc.com
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Denver Nuggets Night for Emergency Management

Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) has partnered up with the Nuggets to provide a night for First Responders, Emergency Managers and related agencies.
Discounted tickets and fun at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, April 4th at 7 p.m. against the Mavericks.  Download the flyer or you can use this link for more information and prices at www.nuggetstix.com/0404cema 

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Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week: Flash Floods

Today's topic during this flood safety and wildfire awareness week is flash floods.  
 
Flash floods are no strangers to Colorado. Close to 300 people have been killed in flash floods across the centennial state since the year 1900. 

The worst flash flood occurred on July 31, 1976 in the Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland. A nearly stationary storm produced around 12 inches of rain in 4 hours and claimed 144 lives.

Two other notable flash floods in Colorado were:

The 1904 incident, just north of Pueblo that drowned just over 100 people as a bridge failed and plunged a train into Fountain Creek.

The 1997 Fort Collins episode killed five people and caused $200 million in property damage.

A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water levels generally occurring in less than 6 hours along large creeks normally dry washes, arroyos or over normally dry land area and can occur with little advanced notice. 

Flash floods frequently result from high rainfall rates and infrequently from dam failures, levee failures or sudden breaks in river ice jams. Flash floods are very destructive due to the force of the moving water and the accompanying debris. This tremendous force can easily damage or destroy roadways, bridges and buildings. 

In recent years, Colorado has seen major flooding and damage when heavy rains have occurred on wildfire burn scar areas. If you are in or near a burn scar area you need to plan ahead. Be aware of general flash flood plans and procedures that have been developed and implemented by your local emergency management officials. It’s up to you. You should know your flash flood risks and make your plan to save your life and those around you.

The National Weather Service Forecast Offices will discuss flash flood potential in daily hazardous weather outlooks and in graphical weather stories on National Weather Service forecast office web sites. 

During days when flash flooding is possible a flash flood watch will be issued. 

During days when flash flooding is likely or occurring a flash flood warning will be issued. 

When a flash flood warning is issued for your area you need to act quickly if you are in a drainage area or in other low spots. Know your escape routes to higher ground and act as quickly as possible. It may be just a short walk or climb to that higher ground.

Many flash flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not drive through a flooded roadway. The water may be much deeper than you think because the roadway may be damaged or washed away. One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles. Instead turn around don’t drown.   

For more information on flood safety go to:  


Http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov
Flood safety and wildfire awareness week continues through this Saturday. 
This article is provided by Colorado's National Weather Service.
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Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week: River Floods

Today’s topic during this flood safety and wildfire awareness week is flooding which develops in the time frame of longer than six hours to several days.

There have been some notable floods across the Centennial State: 
In early June of 1921 a flood along the Arkansas River devastated the city of Pueblo. Estimates of drowning victims ranged from over 100 to over 300.

Around Memorial Day 1935, catastrophic flooding occurred on the palmer divide and the Colorado Springs area causing millions of dollars of damage and killing at least 18 people.
The mid-June 1965 flood was widespread across eastern Colorado taking several lives, and causing over $500 million of damage.

During late April and early May of 1999 after up to 14 inches of rain fell a major flood occurred across southeast Colorado from Colorado Springs to La Junta.
Floods in Colorado can result from rapid snow melt a combination of snow melt and heavy rain or just heavy rain. 

National Weather Service Forecast Offices in Colorado closely collaborate with regional river forecast centers (that monitor the Colorado River, South Platte River,  Arkansas River, and Rio Grande) to come to a consensus on the likelihood of flooding along rivers and large creeks.
The National Weather Service will discuss flood potential in hydrologic outlooks, daily hazardous weather outlooks and in graphical weather stories on national weather service forecast office web sites. Hydrologic statements may be issued for high flows that are within the banks of a river or large creek.

When flooding is possible on a river or large creek a flood watch will be issued meaning flooding is possible within the designated watch area.When flooding is likely or occurring on a river or large creek a flood warning will be issued meaning flooding is expected or has been reported at designated river forecast points.

Flood advisories may be issued for minor flooding on rivers and creeks.
An areal flood warning may also be issued for flooding on a river or large creek in areas away from the designated river forecast points. 

You can easily monitor potential flooding along Colorado Rivers and large creeks using the AHPS monitoring system. AHPS stands for advanced hydrologic prediction service. Information on AHPS can be obtained at  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/floodsafety/ahps.html. AHPS can be accessed on Colorado National Weather Service forecast office web sites from the left hand menu by clicking rivers and lakes under the hydrology banner.

At each river and large creek gauge you can easily look at current and forecast water levels, flood categories, historic crests and flood impacts. Probabilities of Exceedance of certain water levels by week or over the long term are also available.In general, there will be some time to prepare for river and large creek flooding and emergency management in your area has plans in place to address the flooding issues. Know these plans and how you should act accordingly when flood watches and flood warnings are in effect.

For more information on flood safety go to:
The topic for tomorrow is life-threatening flooding which occurs very quickly: flash floods.
Flood safety and wildfire awareness week continues through this Saturday. 

This article is provided by the Colorado National Weather Service.
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