Larimer County Flood Information Update: September 16 at 2 p.m.

Information provided by Larimer County Public Information Team

Despite the weather on Sunday limiting air evacuations, ground crews were able to rescue and evacuate 100 people in the Cedar Cove area. FEMA brought in two, 80-person search and rescue teams yesterday to assist with operations. The weather is more promising today and tomorrow for air evacuation operations.

LATEST INFORMATION

There are 13 National Guard helicopters and 3 civilian helicopters to help with evacuations, surveillance and bringing in emergency personnel to areas needed. Helicopters are now in the air and resuming air rescue operations as of 1:00 p.m today.

  • 1,000 residents remain in remote locations needing to be evacuated.
  • There are now 398 unaccounted for persons, down from the original report of 643. 213 of the reported 643 unaccounted persons have been located and accounted for and there were a few entries without 1st or last names that had multiple entries and were consolidated.
  • There are two confirmed reports of missing/presumed dead residents in the Cedar Cove area; however, at this time we still have no confirmed fatalities.
  • There are approximately 1,120 square miles of area involved that has damage in Larimer County. Rist Canyon has minimal damage, Buckhorn Canyon has heavy damage, Poudre Canyon has minimal damage, Big Thompson Canyon has extensive damage, North Fork of Big Thompson has extensive damage, and South St. Vrain also has extensive damage
  • Initial estimates show approximately 1,500 residential homes in Larimer County have been destroyed with an expected number of 4,500 homes damaged. There are also estimated 200 businesses destroyed and 500 businesses with damage in Larimer County as well.
  • Three dams confirmed as failed in Larimer County; these are Sunset, Mirror Lake and Rainbow, which are all in the Big Elk Meadows area. These are earthen dams and very small so impact in the area was minimal from these breaks.
  • Some areas in Larimer County experienced a 100 year flood and other areas experienced a 1,000 year flood. It all depends on where the heaviest rain fell. Areas with more extensive damage experienced the 1,000 year flooding.
  • A Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) has been established by City of Loveland and Larimer County. This Center will open Wednesday, September 18th at 8:00 a.m. and will be open daily from then on from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The DAC is located at 815 14th Street SW, Building #B in Loveland. In addition the Disaster Distribution Center is now open for evacuees and is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the 815 14th Street SW, Building #D, in Loveland. The distribution center provides things like water, clothing, diapers, non-perishable and non-perishable food to evacuees.

EVACUATION AREAS/SHELTERS

  • Residents with medical emergencies remain the priority for evacuations at this time. 
  • Search and Rescue teams are being dropped into numerous areas to assess the situation and contact stranded residents.
  • Shelters have been set up in the following areas:
  • Thompson Valley School Administration Building in Loveland - 800 S. Taft Avenue
  • Lyons Elementary School in Lyons - North of High Street on 4th
  • Pinewood Springs Fire Department in Lyons - 61 Kiowa Road
  • Mountain View Bible Fellowship in Estes Park - Highway 7 at Peak View Drive
  • Tavelli Elementary in Fort Collins - 1118 Miramont Drive
  • Timberline Church in Fort Collins - 2908 South Timberline Road
  • The Ranch in Loveland is accepting large animals from evacuees.
  • Shuttle buses are being facilitated from the evacuation centers to take evacuees to the Disaster Assistance Center and the Disaster Distribution Center.

TRAVEL INFORMATION AND ROAD CLOSURES/OPENINGS

The National Guard is assisting with traffic control and roadblocks. In addition to the numerous county road closures, the following Main Roads remain closed in Larimer County:
  • U.S. 34 between Glade Road and Estes Park
  • SH 14 between Ted’s Place and Walden
  • U.S. 287 at Big Thompson River in Loveland from SH 402 to 5th Street
For a complete list of County Road closures, please refer to the website:
http://larimer.org/roads/road_closures.cfm

For a complete list of road closures State wide, a web page has been set up at: www.coloradodot.info/travel/colorado-flood-highway-updates.

BUILDING/ROAD SAFETY

It is critical for your safety that you not attempt to reenter evacuated areas or closed roadways/bridges without updated information.

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WATER OR PASS ROAD BLOCKS - You are putting your life and those of emergency responders at risk if you do.

FINDING MISSING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

To report a missing or unaccounted person in Larimer County, please call 970-498-5500.
The American Red Cross Safe and Well website should be used to find someone or post information about your location for your family and friends. This website is www.safeandwell.org. The Red Cross is currently working on registering all evacuees at the local shelters.

ROAD CONDITIONS


The Poudre Canyon has minimal damage, but remains closed to the public. Rist Canyon has some damage, but residents are not stranded and are able to get out. This area is also still closed to the public. Buckhorn Canyon has extensive road damage and in some areas the road was washed away completely. The Crystal Mountain Community is above where the water went through, but residents in this area are stranded. Big Thompson Canyon has extensive road damage and the communities of Drake, Glen Haven and Cedar Park remain isolated with no road access at this time.

PHONE/SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

EVACUEE AND MEDIA BRIEFINGS

Media Briefings will continue to be held daily at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office until further notice.

BASIC SAFETY TIPS

  • Stay out of flood water - it can be contaminated.
  • Residents in are asked to limit driving, especially in mountain communities as gasoline may become scarce due to washed out roads.

For complete information on this emergency, see http://www.larimer.org/emergency/emergency_detail.cfm?nam_id=100
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