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A major flash flooding event has destroyed parts of North Colorado, killing at least three people already and prompted a massive emergency services response, reports 9 News.
The most affected counties are Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson northwest of Denver and El Paso County around Colorado Springs.
Major flood warnings remain in place throughout the state, residents are advised to keep checking weather.gov for further updates.
Here’s what you need to know…
1. At Least Three People Have Been Killed
One person was killed when a home collapsed in Jamestown, Colorado. Another was found dead in Linden Drive, Boulder. A third person was found dead in Colorado Springs. All of these have been attributed to the flooding according to local media reports.
Sad news this morning, an unidentified body was recovered from Fountain Ck near Nevada and Las Vegas Sts. #WaldoFlood
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) September 12, 2013
The Associated Press have reported that rescue efforts have been severely hampered by the impassability of roads, especially in places like Jamestown, a small mountainous town with a population of just 205. The area around the town is under a mandatory evacuation order.
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle has told the media:
This was a devastating overnight storm in the area, and I anticipate that as the day goes on, we are likely to find other people who are victims of this storm.
A fire crew are reported to be in peril as their truck was swept away by powerful flood waters. According to Pelle, the crew were huddled together at the foot of a mountain.
2. The Rain is so Powerful a Dam Has Been Broken
Wow RT @DenverChannel: #BREAKING PHOTO: HWY 34 just west of the Dam Store. pic.twitter.com/ggF2PFNZ5u –@csp_larimer
— Rose Jones (@eddiemonsoon) September 12, 2013
The Meadow Lake Dam, just south west of Colorado Springs was broken by the flooding. The area around the dam is reported to be sparsely populated but an extraction operation is underway.
The Associated Press reports that Larimer County sheriff’s spokesman John Schulz said three other dams in the area are in danger of being breached. Including the Lake Lawn Dam which was previously broken in 1982 during flooding that also killed three people in the nearby town of Estes Park.
3. The University of Colorado Has Been Evacuated
Buildings across Boulder County are collapsing under the strength of the flood waters. Evacuation orders are in place for most of the county. Students staying in the dorms at the University of Colorado have been evacuated, reported to be around 400 people, classes are canceled at the school until further notice.
Boulder County appears to be the worst affected area. CNN reports that emergency dispatch services were dealing with calls “by the dozen.” As people continue to abandon their homes in the area, one shelter has already been put in place to house those who are homeless.
4. The Flooding Has Caused Mudslides
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Mudslides have been reported in the area around Poudre Canyon, north of Denver and close to the Wyoming border. Highways around the area are closed due to damage, severely hampering rescue efforts. Poudre National Park lost power overnight. Flash flood warnings are in place throughout the county.
5. Major Flood Warnings Remain in Place
The rain continues to fall through Thursday September 12. A Weather Service warning says:
Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.
Capt. John Burt of the Colorado State Patrol said the flooding was caused by a major storm that spread into the Eastern Plains of the state and then retraced its path. The Associated Press report him saying: “It’s a different weather cell than we have seen in the past.”