Upper Bear Creek Flood: Huerfano County, Colorado: July 8, 2014 at 1:45 p.m.

Information provided by Huerfano County Office of Emergency Management public information officer.

A flash flood moved through the East Peak burn scar early Tuesday morning. The call was received at approximately 3:15 a.m.

Ninety-six scouts including troop leaders from the Kansas and Colorado area were evacuated to Huerfano County Community Center in Walsenburg. The Red Cross provided meals and shelter for evacuees. County Rd. 340 at the Shangri La entrance was closed for several hours and is now open. Evacuations orders have been lifted and the scouts have re-entered the ranch.

Incident Fast Facts

  • Elevation: 8,500 ft.
  • Cause: Flash Flood
  • Jurisdiction: Huerfano County
  • Cooperating Agencies: Huerfano County Fire Department, La Veta Fire, Huerfano County Road and Bridge, Red Cross, Huerfano County Office of Emergency Management, Huerfano County EMS
  • Management Strategies: Life safety, property protection, debris removal, weather monitoring for re-entry and damage assessment.