Town Turned Into An Island As Floods Continue To Rage in Colorado

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420741/Town-turned-island-fl...
Click here to print
More than 500 missing in Colorado floods: Death toll rises to five as more rain threatens further destruction over 4,500 square miles
Heavy rains that started Wednesday sparked flash-flooding from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs Residents urged to leave now or risk being stranded for weeks without water or power The National Weather service says there has been over 12 inches of rainfall since September 1, breaking the 73-year-old record for the month Surging floodwaters in Boulder led to the evacuation of about 4,000 residents late Thursday President Obama has approved a federal disaster assistance request for the area and National Guard have been dispatched
By Daily Mail Reporter and Ryan Gorman PUBLISHED: 11:24 EST, 14 September 2013 | UPDATED: 01:38 EST, 15 September 2013
651 shares 89 View comments
Colorado residents are bracing themselves for further flooding and devastation, with more storms due to hit on Sunday. More than 500 people are missing and at least four people have died, with another victim believed to be dead, after flash floods. Many residents are still stranded in their homes as rescue workers try to reach them. Boulder county officials fear rescue attempts will be hampered by the extra 4in of rain due on Sunday.
1 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Demolished: The walls of this home have been washed away on South Platte River
Wrecked: Only the roof of a Jamestown house remains after flash floods ripped through the town
2 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Cut off: A farm house is completely surrounded by rising water
3 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
4 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Swept away: A large chunk of road near Greenley, Colorado, has been demolished by the flood
Evacuation: Residents have been told if they don't leave they risk being cut off for two weeks
Authorities who still haven't reached all the stranded victims of floods in northeastern Colorado are bracing for a new round of storms on Sunday. Already it is estimated that it will cost $150 million to repair more than 100 miles of road and at least 20 bridges that have been washed away. County transportation director George Gerstle told CNN the repair bill is likely to be 10 to 15 the annual budget. A sheriff's office spokesman said hundreds of people were unaccounted for, but added that some residents may have reached safety but not been able to contact relatives to tell them. Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said authorities had to be 'realistic' about the chances that the death toll will rise. With the rain never seeming to end and the waters continuing to rise, more than 4,000 people near Boulder, Colorado, have been evacuated as nearby Milliken has been surrounded by water and turned into an island, according to reports. The reality of what is becoming a long-term disaster is setting in, flooding has affected parts of a 4,500square-mile area almost the size of Connecticut.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
5 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
An aerial view of vehicles submerged in flood waters along the South Platte River near Greenley, Colorado
Underwater: The small farming town of Milliken, CO, has been surrounded by waters that first turned it into an island, but are now inundating homes
6 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Runaway homes: Trailer homes are floating off their foundations as rushing waters sweep them away
Not just homes: Farms and farm equipment are also being destroyed by the treacherous waters
7 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Unprecedented: The 12 inches of rain recorded since Sept 1 has set an all-time record for the month, and even more is on the way
In the most recent developments, people are stranded in Milliken after the main road out of town was washed away by raging floodwaters, according to CBS Denver. As the devastating rapids rise, they wash away more of the road, and flood ever closer to even more homes. 'The fire department said Milliken is an island but I found a way out,' Jorge Garza told the station. A CBS Denver helicopter flying over the town spotted a family of three and their dog being rescued from menacing waters via a motorized raft. '[Milliken] has turned into a lake with campers, fields and cars submerged,' the station further reported. 172 people are unaccounted for, Boulder County officials told KDVR.
8 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Sludge: Brian Montgomery wades through thick mud in the basement of his mother's home
Deserted: Residents are being taken to evacuation centers amid reports of more storms
9 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Access: Heavy equipment is used to try to clear debris from a road covered in 20ft banks of mud
Damage: An estimated $150 million of repair work will be needed to fix roads and bridges that have been washed away
As rescuers broke through to flood-ravaged Colorado towns, they issued a stern warning Saturday to anyone
10 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
thinking of staying behind: Leave now or be prepared to endure weeks without electricity, running water and basic supplies. Authorities made clear that residents who chose not to leave might not get another chance for a while. 'We're not trying to force anyone from their home. We're not trying to be forceful, but we're trying to be very factual and definitive about the consequences of their decision, and we hope that they will come down,' Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.
Cut off: A farm house has been turned into an island as flood water rises near Greenley, Colorado
11 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
By land: The Army National Guard has brought in heavy equipment meant to assist in the rescue of trapped residents
Or by sea: Officials are also using motorboats to help save trapped people
12 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Shocked: Residents are shell-shocked, many have lost everything, as a result of the historic floods
Waterlogged: Cattle brave the fierce waters on higher ground as everything around them is swept away
Special education teacher Brian Shultz, 38, was torn about leaving his Jamestown home. 'I was thinking about staying. I could have lasted at least a year. I have a lot of training in wilderness survival,' he said, adding that he probably had enough beer to last the whole time.
13 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Another one to two inches of rain is expected to fall between Saturday night and Sunday, which will only add to the problems. National Guard choppers have been evacuating the Jamestown, of about 295 people - plus pets - after the mountain hamlet became isolated by flooding. Mike Smith, incident commander at Boulder Municipal Airport, said helicopters would continue flying in and out late into the night. The outlook for anyone who'd rather stay is weeks without power, cell phone service, water or sewer. For those awaiting an airlift, Guardsmen dropped food, water and other supplies in Jamestown and other small towns in the winding, narrow canyons that dot the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Swamped: A railway track in Longmont is lost under floodwater
14 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Ruined: Trailer homes have been washed away in the water
The surge: Flash-flooding continues in the Boulder-area of Colorado after three days of record-breaking rainfall
15 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Overflowing: The heavy rains have impacted a large stretch of Colorado from Fort Collins near the northern border with Wyoming, all the way to Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs more than 100 miles south
Geysers of sewage: A Sewer in Manitou Springs is overwhelmed by rainfall yesterday, gurgling the overflow of water
Thousands of evacuees sought shelter in cities that were nearly surrounded by raging rivers spilling over their
16 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
banks. The dayslong rush of water from higher ground has killed four people and turned towns on Colorado's expansive eastern plains into muddy swamps. Crews used inflatable boats to rescue families and pets from stranded farmhouses. Some evacuees on horseback had to be escorted to safe ground. Boulder County officials said Friday night that the number of people unaccounted for had risen to 172, according to local television and newspaper reports.
'I
expect that we're going to continue to receive reports of confirmed missing and confirmed fatalities throughout the next several days,' Larimer County sheriff's spokesman John Schulz said.
Record-breaking: Over 12 inches of rain has fallen since September 1, which shatters the previous record set in the 1940s of 5.5 inches
17 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
View from above: Satellite imaging shows the storm system that swept over the eastern Colorado area on September 11, starting flash-floods that have killed three so far
Flee: The floods have displaced thousands of human residents, but also the wildlife in Colorado. Above, a deer jumps over a sidewalk in a flood-damaged area of Boulder
The officials said earlier that the unaccounted for figure doesn't necessarily represent missing people.
18 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Near Greeley, some 35 miles east of the foothills, broad swaths of farmland had become lakes, and hundreds of roads were closed or damaged by floodwaters. A 70-mile stretch of Interstate 25 was closed from Denver to the Wyoming line. Rocky Mountain National Park closed Friday, its visitors forced to leave via the 60-mile Trail Ridge Road to the west side of the Rockies. It will be weeks, if not months, before a semblance of normalcy returns to Lyons, a gateway community to the park. The town, surrounded by sandstone cliffs whose color was reflected in the raging St. Vrain River, consisted of six islands Friday as residents barbecued their food before it spoiled. Several people set up a tent camp on a hill. Some 2,500 residents were being evacuated from Lyons. Two bridges that led into the area were washed away.
Aerial views of flood damage as death toll rises in Colorado
19 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
'Wall of water': Around midnight, officials said they were monitoring a wall of water headed toward the area of Emerson Gulch
Churning: Boulder Creek is overflowing and threatening the city of Boulder, which it runs right through
20 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Swept away: The 30-foot wall of water was caused when a drainage gulch burst and swept up debris and vehicles in it's path
21 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Won't stop: Rain continued to fall in Colorado today, only adding to the already dangerous flash-flooding
Stream: Water spills over a hillside home at the base of Boulder Canyon today
Emergency situation: The National Guard has been dispatched to help rescue people
22 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
stranded in their homes
'There's so much water coming out of the canyon, it has to go somewhere, and unfortunately it's coming into the city,' said Ashlee Herring, spokeswoman for the Boulder office of Emergency Management. Boulder Creek, which runs through the heart of the city, became a raging torrent that burst its banks and flooded adjacent parking lots and streets as warning sirens wailed. Officials in Boulder announced just before midnight Thursday that they were tracking a large 'wall of water, containing debris and vehicles' headed towards Emerson Gulch from the Fourmile burn area. The Denver Post reported that the 30-foot wall of water was caused by a drainage gulch that burst and released a large amount of water which swept up debris and vehicles in it's path. Other towns nestled along the Front Range of the Rockies north of Denver were also hard hit. In Longmont about 14 miles northeast of Boulder, the St Vrain River jumped its banks, cascading across main thoroughfares and making travel across the city impossible overnight.
Exploring: Umbrella-toting residents take pictures of the damage the flooding had on a street in Boulder on Friday
23 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Home invasion: A couple returns to find their home Friday to find it water-damaged from the previous days floods
24 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Survivor: So far, officials have announced three deaths related to the flooding. Above, a man is rescued by emergency workers after he spent the night trapped on high ground above his home
Battling the storm: A man in Boulder attempts to make a mud barrier to protect his house from the flooding
25 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Boots are no use: Homeowner Hannah Hinseth returns to her home to survey the damage caused by the severe flooding
26 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Street sweepers: Residents shovel debris to form a protective dike in a neighborhood of Boulder
'Our city is completely divided,' by the floodwaters, assistant city manager Shawn Lewis told Reuters. Lewis said 7,000 households were under mandatory evacuation orders. The city opened two emergency shelters for displaced residents. President Barack Obama approved a federal disaster assistance request, which will release funds to help with emergency protection, Governor John Hickenlooper's office said late on Thursday. National Guard troops were dispatched with emergency supplies to the remote town of Lyons, north of Boulder, which was virtually cut off from surrounding areas when floodwaters washed out U.S. Route 36, county officials said.
27 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Cut-off: Towns like Magnolia, above, have been completely shut off after the raging waters washed out roads
Waiting for rescue: All road access to the town of Lyons, Colorado was cut-off and National Guard troops have been dispatched to bring residents emergency supplies. Above a wiped out road near the base of Boulder Canyon
28 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Baby's first flood: A young family take a walk on Friday to survey the damage in their Boulder neighborhood
A river runs through it: Lefthand Creek runs down a neighborhood street in Longmont, Colorado Friday
29 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Clean-up: Today, a farmer is seen clearing debris from railroad tracks in Longmont, Colorado
Back at last: Evelyn Mortiz carries her luggage barefoot back home after spending the night with friends during the mandatory evacuation in her area
30 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
A dozen major roads in northeastern Colorado remained shut with significant damage from flooding, mudslides, rockfalls and other debris, the Colorado Department of Transportation said late on Thursday. Heavy summer rains are not unusual for Colorado, but the intensity and duration of the downpour that began on Monday night was unprecedented. The National Weather Service said at least 12.3 inches of rain have fallen on Boulder since September 1, smashing a 73-year-old record of 5.5 inches for the month.
Cleaning house: Lucas Calderon-Griek uses a broom to sweep out the water from his home in Upland
31 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Aid: Colorado National Guardsmen help relocate a family trapped at their heavily-flooded home
Record-breaking: The former record for rainfall during the month of September was 5.5 inches. That's been shattered already with the National Weather Service saying that 12.3 inches have fallen
32 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Wreckage: A man cleans up Canon Avenue after a flash flood burst a manhole and sent water rushing down the streets of Manitou
Pop-up pool: A couple play in the flooded Utah Park in Aurora, Colorado yesterday
33 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Back to work: Men at Namaste Solar are pictured clearing debris off of their work site today in Boulder
One body was found in a collapsed building near Jamestown, an evacuated enclave north of Boulder. A couple were swept away in floodwaters after stopping their car northwest of the city. The man's body was recovered but the woman was missing and feared dead, said Commander Heidi Prentup of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The body of a third confirmed fatality, a 54-year-old man, was found by police on flood-watch patrols in a Colorado Springs creek, about 100 miles to the south, officials said. On Friday, a woman who had been swept away was found dead near Boulder, raising the death toll to four. Nearly 150 people were killed near Boulder in 1976 by a flash flood along the Big Thompson Canyon.
34 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Out of control: The heavy rainfalls have turned Boulder Creek into a raging river with enough power to wash out roads
Ominous: Clouds cover the Denver skyline early this morning. It continues to rain in the area
35 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Up in the air: A Rocky Mountain Rescue Team prepares to depart in a National Guard piloted helicopter
Swamped: A National Guard vehicle drives through a flooded area in Boulder County Thursday as rain continued to pour
36 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Pup saved! This family's poodle couldn't be left behind
Distractions: Carolyn Hornung, distracted by her phone, casually stands in flowing water outside her house in Boulder, Colorado Friday
37 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Colorado floods continue for third day
Read more: KDVR CBS Denver Reuters Colorado floods: More than 500 still unaccounted for as 'devastating' rain looms
MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS

Previous 1 2 3 Next
Baby elephant 'cries' for hours after being stomped by mom
'Vicious' obituary makes it into paper but pulled from...
38 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Man 'sees wife again for first time' after waking from...
Princes William and Harry with Pippa Middleton at society...
Meet 18-year-old Miss Uzbekistan Rakhima Ganieva
Colorado floods continue for third day
Aerial views of flood damage as death toll rises in Colorado
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Mother's DUI arrest
Nasa's Voyager 1 probe transmits sounds from interstellar...
Tourist films shabby condition of a Disneyland Paris ride...
39 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Tiger shark caught and dragged to shore
Baseball collision leaves catcher in hospital for three days
MOST READ NEWS

Previous 1 2 3 Next
Mystery of 18-year-old competing as Miss Uzbekistan in Miss...
More than 500 are missing and up to five people have died...
'I read the cards but I'm no cheat': U.S. poker ace suing...
EXCLUSIVE - 'We sang ding dong the witch is dead when mom...
40 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Hay there! Hilarious moment grinning horse photo-bombs...
Global warming is just HALF what we said: World's top...
Mother-of-four rushed to hospital after bite from a house...
Fashionistas so desperate to appear on trend at New York...
Beheaded in front of children, Assad's thugs are dragged to...
Broken-down rides, reheated food and cancelled shows:...
Mom vows she'll risk getting arrested to defy school ban and...
Heartbreaking moment father dying of cancer walks his two...
41 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Comments (89)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Our prayers from a Neighbor state of Texas...though we are virtually in drought this year, wish we could take few days rain and it would be balance...but GOD is GOD. - Prince , London, 15/9/2013 08:20 Click to rate Report abuse We will get this in the UK this winter but it will be snow. - Jetty , London, United Kingdom, 15/9/2013 07:59 Click to rate Report abuse Weather modification/weather wars. The people there gave a big thumbs down on Agenda 21. - escapefromobamastan , Big D, 15/9/2013 07:50 Click to rate Report abuse why does the government allow people to build in KNOWN flood areas. same stupidity in britain on the flood plains. - JamesCrawford Oxford , Oxford, United Kingdom, 15/9/2013 07:13 Click to rate Report abuse Geez first fires now flooding Colorado can't win - angelic_nightmare22 , united states auburn, 15/9/2013 07:02 Click to rate Report abuse Thoughts and prayers to everyone in Colorado affected by this disaster, and to those waiting for word from their loved ones. The people of Colorado are tough and self-reliant and will get through this. - lesley elizabeth , south of boston massachusetts, United States, 15/9/2013 06:56 Click to rate Report abuse Wear plastic garbage bags over your socks to avoid disease infested water. Throw away the shoes after use or wash them in bleach water if you can. Especially do this for your kids. Tie the bags up with shoe laces or ties up to your knees or higher. We're praying for you all! - Mountaingirl , Pinetopaz, United States, 15/9/2013 06:06 Rating 11 Rating 9 Rating 4 Rating 1 Rating (0) Rating (0)
42 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM
Click to rate Report abuse
Rating 20
Anyone who thinks this is a result of global warming/climate change/human error is an idiot. These events happen here infrequently but they do happen. This one was caused by late monsoon moisture being sucked into the region by a strong but not aberrant system that went into "play repeat" mode over days. Because this is a semi-arid climate, we don't have the soils and vegetation to absorb so much water in such a short period of time. Neither do we have a useful river drainage system - there are no navigable waters in the state of Colorado. We have streams and creeks. Our rivers are usually very shallow and often periodically dry. All of this adds up to a landscape that is perfect for flash floods but terrible at absorbing a lot of water at once. There is no mystery about why this happened. - Merry , Golden USA, 15/9/2013 06:06 Click to rate Report abuse Hooter in Hotlanta.....you are clueless if you don't think this has anything to do with climate change.....you obviously don't care about the planet your leaving for your children.....grandchildren This is a right wing publication so I expect to see negative comments about the president but please people, get educated and tune out Fake News.... - Jlo123 , Westport, United States, 15/9/2013 05:48 Click to rate Report abuse I should rephrase ... after drought and bushfires, I wish we could take much of that water from the Coloradans. My deepest sympathies - I liathe flood damage with a passion. Good luck - Sydneysider58 , Now living in Taree, 15/9/2013 05:32 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 6 Rating 14 Rating 17
Like MailOnline
Follow @MailOnline
Find this story at www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2420741/Town-turned-island-floods-continue-rage-Colarado-dozens-missingfeared-dead.html
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
Associated Newspapers Ltd
43 of 43
9/15/2013 12:27 AM

Town Turned Into An Island As Floods Continue To Rage in Colorado

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Town Turned Into An Island As Floods Continue To Rage in Colorado

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Click here to print

651 shares 89 View comments

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Cut off: A farm house is completely surrounded by rising water

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Swamped: A railway track in Longmont is lost under floodwater

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Ruined: Trailer homes have been washed away in the water

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

stranded in their homes

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Pup saved! This family's poodle couldn't be left behind

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Colorado floods continue for third day

MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS

Baby elephant 'cries' for hours after being stomped by mom

'Vicious' obituary makes it into paper but pulled from...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Princes William and Harry with Pippa Middleton at society...

Meet 18-year-old Miss Uzbekistan Rakhima Ganieva

Colorado floods continue for third day

Aerial views of flood damage as death toll rises in Colorado

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Mother's DUI arrest

Nasa's Voyager 1 probe transmits sounds from interstellar...

Tourist films shabby condition of a Disneyland Paris ride...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...

Tiger shark caught and dragged to shore

Baseball collision leaves catcher in hospital for three days

MOST READ NEWS

Mystery of 18-year-old competing as Miss Uzbekistan in Miss...

Town turned into an island as floods continue to rage in Colarado as doze...