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:

Http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov

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.

Galena Fire Update from Larimer County Sheriff Office: 3/18/13 #GalenaFire

The approximately 1348 acre Galena Fire is now considered to be 85% contained. All pre-evacuation notices have been cancelled but residents are advised to remain alert for changing conditions.

Both Type 2 helicopters flew this morning but were grounded this afternoon due to the winds. One of the helicopters has been released and the other one will continue to work the fire tomorrow, weather permitting. Winds are expected again tomorrow.

The 130 firefighters were able to complete the hand line on the western perimeter today as well as securing other lines. Five miles of hand lines have been completed. Some mop-up operations were started today.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is close to being complete. The fire has been determined to be human caused but was NOT a result of a campfire, a controlled burn or a prescribed burn that escaped. Details will be made available as soon as the investigation is complete.
No structures have been destroyed. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries due to the steep terrain over the weekend. Both were treated and released from a local hospital. There were no injuries reported today.

Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Park both remained closed on Monday due to the fire.

Information from:

John Schulz
Public Information Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's Office

Floodplain Managers and Emergency Managers: Different Duties, Shared Responsibilities

Colorado Wildfire and Flood Awareness Safety Awareness Week Article from the Colorado Office of Emergency Management

The Question: What do floodplain managers and emergency managers have in common?

The Answer: Water… too much of it, and the responsibility to keep the community safe from its impacts.
The Message: It is beneficial for floodplain managers and emergency managers to know, understand, and support each other.

Flood prone areas have been identified in 267 of 270 cities and towns and in all of the 64 counties in Colorado. Between 20 and 30 large magnitude floods (in terms of peak discharge) occur somewhere in Colorado every year. In fact, 40% of Colorado’s presidentially declared disasters and emergencies stem from flood-related events. Too often, floods negatively impact people, property, infrastructure and critical facilities, economic and cultural assets, and the natural environment.

Enhancing coordination between floodplain managers and emergency managers will strengthen the community’s preparation, response, and resilience to flooding, as many of their responsibilities run parallel with one another. Regular communication and a better understanding of each other’s roles may improve the sharing of information and insight, create of efficiencies, and reduce the amount of unnecessary overlap in activities. Collaboration between these professions will result in partnerships and increase the whole community’s ability to manage a flood event.

For more information go to the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s March 2012 Floodstage Newsletter on page six and seven to answer the following questions:

• Who are Floodplain Managers?
• Who are Emergency Managers?
• How can Floodplain Managers and Emergency Managers help each other?
• What actions should you take?

Contact the following personnel for questions, comments, or additional information:

Floodplain Management and National Flood Insurance Program Contacts:

1. Jamie Prochno, Community Assistance Program Manager, Colorado Water Conservation Board, (303) 866-4474 x3215, jamie.prochno@state.co.us
2. Michael Gease, Natural Hazards Specialist, FEMA, (303) 235-4814, michael.gease@fema.dhs.gov

For local floodplain manager contact information, please contact Jamie Prochno.

Emergency Management Contacts:

To find contact information for your local emergency manager click on the Local Info Sources tab at coemergency.com.

1. Ken Brink, Mitigation Team Supervisor (Denver Metro), Colorado Office of Emergency Management, 720-852-6695,kenneth.brink@state.co.us
2. Scott Baldwin, Mitigation Specialist (Southern Colorado), Colorado Office of Emergency Management, (720) 852-6696, scott.baldwin@state.co.us
3. Deanna Butterbaugh, Mitigation Specialist (Northern Colorado), Colorado Office of Emergency Management, (720) 852-6697,deanna.butterbaugh@state.co.us

Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week: Flooding can be a major problem

FLOODING CAN BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IN COLORADO

In Colorado there are two distinct types of flooding.  When the snow begins to melt in the high country rivers begin to rise.  Flooding along rivers and streams can occur with a very rapid snow melt or from thunderstorm rains combining with the runoff from melting snow. 

The other type of flooding, flash flooding, refers to a dangerous sudden rise in water along a creek, wash, river or over a normally dry land area.  Flash floods result from heavy rainfall, sudden breaks in river ice jams and dam or levee failures.  Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours and can move at surprisingly high speeds, striking with little warning.  Flash floods are quite destructive because of the force of the moving water and the debris that accumulates in flood waters such as trees and boulders which can destroy roadways, bridges and buildings.

In recent years we have seen serious flooding when heavy rain falls on recently burned areas.  Residents in and near burned areas in the front range foothills and near Mancos and DeBeque should plan ahead on response actions for flooding.

The National Weather Service will discuss flood and flash flood potential in daily hazardous weather outlooks and in the weather story on National Weather Service websites.  On days with a high threat for flooding you may hear a flash flood or flood watch which means that flash flooding or flooding is possible within the watch area.

A flood warning, which means that flooding is imminent or has been reported along a river.  A flash flood warning which means that flash flooding has been reported or is imminent.  When a flash flood warning is issued for your area act quickly.  If advised to evacuate do so immediately.  Go to higher ground or climb to safety before access is cut off by flood waters.

Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related.  Do not enter a flooded roadway instead turn around.  Do not drown.  In rapidly rising waters, backing up away from water may be safer.  One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles and you also cannot tell if the road is damaged beneath the water.  

Colorado Wildfire and Flood Safety Awareness Week continues through this Saturday.  

This article was provided by the Colorado National Weather Service.