Posts tagged Boulder Canyon
Flash flood warning in Fourmile Canyon:#boulderflood VIDEO OEM Updates
Jul 8th
It was continuing to rain. The slides get larger as you continue past mile marker 8. Even in our 4 wheel drive TV production SUV we could only make it to the second slide. The command center gave us an escort from Four Mile Fire department. We had to have a radio person with us in case it slid again and we got caught up in a slide.
Initially, a Boulder County Sheriff deputy came up on the slides during the down pour at around 6:00pm. He told us it was all he could do to drive out in his Sheriffs big SUV Chevy.
Four Mile fire chief said that a large amount of the slide had hung up about 50 feet up the hill on a rock out cropping. There was some concern that it would slide again on into the night as the rains continued.
Four Mile Fire was on the scene and stationed through out the canyon to watch for more slides. A large road grader was pushing dirt and a front end loader and 10 Wheel dump truck were working the larger slides.
The hope is to get the road opened by morning. The concern is that it will keep raining and cause major slides.
Flash flood warning in Fourmile Canyon in effect until 9:15 p.m.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder Canyon and the Fourmile Canyon areas are under a National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning until 9:15 tonight. The fire protection districts and communities in the Fourmile Canyon Fire burn area are on high alert and closely monitoring events and responding to hazardous conditions.
Heavy rainfall occurred in the canyons around 6 p.m., and the Fourmile Creek reached peak flow around 7 p.m., but the creek did not overbank. Creek flows are now receding and water levels are dropping in the Fourmile Creek and Boulder Creek in Boulder Canyon.
Fourmile Canyon Drive is closed to travel due to mud, rock and debris flows between blocks 5900 and 8000 (Wall St. area). Lefthand Canyon and other roads in the area have had minor rock slides, but are passable. Motorists are urged to use caution on all roadways impacted by water flows and rock slides.
Sheriff’s deputies and emergency services personnel are on patrol in the Fourmile Canyon and Lefthand Canyon areas. They are checking creek water levels and monitoring the passage of roads. The Boulder Emergency Operations Center has been activated and continues to monitor weather, road and community conditions.
Reverse notification messages were sent to approximately 300 residences telling them to remain on alert and be prepared to seek higher ground.
10:30 p.m. – EOC deactivating; severe weather clearing out of area
The storm systems are tracking to the south and the risk appears to be low for the Fourmile Area, but not completely gone. Storms are expected to continue all night with diminished intensity and a southerly track. The flash flood warning has ended and all residents have returned to homes.
Another everbridge was sent to advise residents that the flash flood warning has expired but to remain vigilant due to weather still in the area. The only road closure presently is west of Emerson Gulch (off Fourmile Canyon Dr.) and is 4 feet deep and 100 yards wide. County road crews are building an emergency access through it and will go to work on removal of debris tomorrow.
The Emergency Operations Center will deactivate at 10:30 p.m
7/7 – 9:12 p.m. – Crews On Scene Clearing Roads
7/7 – 9:12 p.m. – County road maintenance crews are on scene with plows and road graders clearing the rock slides and debris flows. The goal is to get one passable lane in Fourmile Canyon tonight and go back tomorrow to widen the road.
7/7 – 8:39 p.m – Damage Assesment
7/7 – 8:39 p.m. – There are no reports of structure or infrastructure damage, other than debris flows on roads in the Fourmile area. Electricity and phones are working. No injuries have been reported.
7/7 – 8:30 p.m. – Downstream Impacts
Levels in Boulder Creek have peaked and are receding. Underpasses could be flooded. Some street flooding, but no imminent danger to City of Boulder. Use caution on roads and paths.
7/7 – 8:15 p.m. – Road Closure Update
7/7 – 8:15 p.m. – Fourmile Canyon still closed between 5900 and 8000 blocks (Wall Street area). Gold Run, Gold Hill and Lickskillit are open. Lefthand Canyon and Boulder Canyon have some rocks on the road, but are passable.
7/7 – 8:07 pm. – Assessment of Area
7/7 – 8:07 p.m. – Sheriff’s deputies are in the Fourmile and Lefthand Canyon area. They are checking creek water levels and the passability of roads.
7/7 – 8 p.m. Reverse Notification Sent
Reverse notification messages and phone calls sent to approximately 300 residences telling them to remain on alert and be prepared to seek higher ground. The National Weather Service has a flash flood warning in effect until 9:15 p.m.
Road Closures
7/7 – 7:51 p.m. – Fourmile is closed at 5900 block. Traffic westbound needs to find an alternate route. There are rock slides in Lefthand Canyon and Boulder Canyon, but they are passable. Please use caution when on these roads. County road crews and Colorado State Patrol enroute to assess and clear.
Lefthand Canyon has some minor rock slides. Roads are passable, but use caution.
7/7 7 p.m. – Flash Flood Warning in Fourmile Burn Area
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect in the Fourmile Burn Area. Intense storms are expected to continue moving through the area.
UPDATE: City of Boulder begins MORE evacuations #boulderfire
Oct 29th
10/29 – City evacuations ordered |
City orders evacuations of selected west Boulder neighborhoods
The City of Boulder has begun mandatory evacuations of neighborhoods in west Boulder. All residences and businesses within the following boundaries are being ordered to evacuate: west of 7th Street from Canyon Boulevard on the south to North Street on the north. An evacuation center has been established at the Coors Event Center on the University of Colorado – Boulder campus. There are an estimated 1,700 people and 800 units within these boundaries. The evacuations are in response to the Dome wildfire in Boulder Canyon near Dome Rock on City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks property. More than two dozen firefighters are on scene working the fire, and a one-seat plane has been making drops of retardant in the area. Additional ground and air support has been requested. “As a precaution and to aid responders dealing with the Dome Fire, we are ordering a mandatory evacuation in some neighborhoods within the city,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “We are asking that residents follow the directions of emergency crews now so that emergency equipment can be positioned and crews can focus on extinguishing the wildfire. Resident and business cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work to contain this fire.” Frequent updates are being posted to http://www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status. |