Fires, Floods, Snow extremes
Breaking news about Wild Land Fires & Floods and snow storms in the Boulder, Colorado area.
County to help flood victims with income tax filing
Feb 4th
Residents invited to post-flood income tax workshop Feb. 12
Boulder County, Colo. – Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the 2013 Flood, or local tax and personal finance professionals are encouraged to attend the workshop on Feb.12. Attendees will hear from disaster tax expert John Trapani, CPA.
The workshop will help residents navigate their income tax options following a major disaster:
When: Wednesday, Feb 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 3rd Floor
RSVP: www.UPhelp.org/RSVP
The workshop will cover several topics including:
· Income tax benefits and reporting responsibilities that can help and hurt people who experienced a disaster loss
· Major questions to be discussed:
o Is there a loss or gain? What tax year should you claim a loss? Sell 7 buy or rebuild?
· Documenting and claiming insured and uninsured losses
· Tax consequences of insurance settlements SBA loans, FEMA grants, etc.
· Special rules for federally declared disasters
· Determining your cost basis for damaged property
Attendees will have the chance to ask questions during a Q&A session.
Boulder County, the Long-Term Flood Recovery Group and United Policyholders host this free workshop
For more information about the workshop, visit www.accountantfordisasterrecovery.com or call Kerri Oliver at kerrioliver@gmail.com.
More help for flood victims
Jan 28th
Volunteer interviewers will meet with flood survivors to help individuals connect with resources and gain a clear picture of what it will take to recover
Boulder County, Colo. – The Long-Term Flood Recovery Group of Boulder County (LTFRG) has requested the services of a national disaster recovery group to determine who in the community will not be able to rebuild and recover without assistance. A team of World Renew volunteers will conduct one-on-one interviews with flood survivors from Feb. 10-22. This process will help to prioritize individual needs and connect survivors with the LTFRG which can provide long-term support during recovery with individual case management as well as financial and construction assistance for those most in need.
The LTFRG is organizing 5 walk-in locations across the county from February 10-22. Residents affected by the flood who require assistance for flood recovery are encouraged to visit a walk-in center to complete a short interview regarding flood losses and recovery needs.
All information given at the walk-in centers is confidential and will assist designated case managers to help residents connect with available resources. The information will also help to develop a detailed estimate of the total cost for recovery in the community which helps the LTFRG as well as government agencies raise the necessary recovery funds and donations of building materials and supplies
Interview questions are straightforward and should not require residents to supply any paperwork, although if flood survivors do have a FEMA number, they are asked to bring that with them to the center. Spanish language interpreters will be onsite at the Longmont location every day and will be available at other sites during designated hours. Sites are also wheelchair accessible (with the exception of the Altona Grange site) and appointments can be made for any ASL requirements.
South Boulder
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – 4215 Grinnell Ave, Boulder
Monday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Lyons
Walt Self Senior Center – 335 Railroad Ave, Building B, Lyons
Monday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Longmont
First Lutheran Church – 803 3rd Avenue, Longmont
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
North Boulder
Boulder Friends Meeting – 1825 Upland, Boulder
Monday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Central Boulder County
Altona Grange – 9386 N 39th Street (at Nelson Road)
Thursday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information please contact the Long-Term Flood Recovery Group, at 303-895-3429 or floodrecovery@unitedwayfoothills.org.
Gas “outage” comes at a bad time
Dec 6th
Xcel Energy is working to address a gas outage that is impacting a significant number of homes in parts of the city and Boulder County. Boulder Fire-Rescue is offering tips to help keep people safe during the outage.
ü If your pilot light is out after gas service is restored and you don’t know how to re-light it, you may contact Xcel to come to your home to relight the pilot for you. Xcel is asking individuals who need assistance to call 1-800-295-4999 to provide a cell phone for crews to contact you; if you will be home when crews come by, please leave your porch light. Call a professional contractor if you don’t wish to wait for Xcel.
ü If your pipes freeze, avoid using blow torches or open flames to try to heat them. Just yesterday, Dec. 5, 2013, someone caused a fire in a mobile home while using a blow torch to heat frozen pipes. Although no one was injured, the mobile home suffered extensive damage from the fire.
ü If you have neighbors who are elderly or who are physically/mentally challenged, please check on them to make sure they’re okay. If they are in need of medical attention, call 9-1-1.
ü If you plan to use an electric space heater, consider the following precautions:
· Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture and bedding.
· Make sure to keep a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around space heaters and fires.
· Use space heaters only when you’re present in your home or business, and only while you’re awake. Never use space heaters while you sleep.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which can be produced when a furnace or other appliances are not working properly. It can also be produced when wood-burning fireplaces are not vented properly.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas, and inhaling it can cause death. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include feeling out of breath, dizziness, nausea and headaches. If you or any of your family members experience these symptoms, leave the building immediately and call 9-1-1.
ü Make sure to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home or business. Check the batteries regularly to ensure that it’s working properly.
ü Don’t use a charcoal or wood grill indoors or in a garage.
ü Never operate kerosene or propane heaters indoors without proper venting.
ü Never use your oven to heat your home.
Emergency Contacts and Shelter Information
In case of emergency, contact 9-1-1. For other calls, the non-emergency dispatch number is 303-441-3333. To report outages, please contact Xcel directly at 1-800-895-2999.
The American Red Cross will be opening a warm shelter for people impacted by this emergency. The shelter will be available starting at 3 p.m. today and is located at Douglass Elementary School, 840 75th St. near 75th Street and Baseline Road.
–CITY–