Boulder Flood 2013
Boulder Channel 1 coverage of the 2013 Boulder flood . We have one video feed of live emergency scanner traffic. Another live channel is our Mobile channel where we go around Boulder with live broadcasts of various scenes of the flooding. Plus , video coverage, photos and news stories.
Boulder County Flood Center now open, changes hours
Oct 16th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center opened on Oct. 14 to assist property owners and residents of unincorporated Boulder County impacted by the unprecedented flooding events of September 2013.
Formerly called the Flood Recovery Center, the renamed Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center is located at the county’s Land Use Department in downtown Boulder.
The center is staffed by functional experts in onsite wastewater (septic) systems, floodplain regulations, transportation (e.g., driveways, roads & bridges), planning and building codes.
What: Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center
When: Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, hours are 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M–F (hours through Oct. 18 are 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
Where: Boulder County Land Use Department, 2045 13th St., Boulder (map)
Contact: floodrecovery@bouldercounty.org, 303-441-1705
Flood-impacted residents of unincorporated Boulder County who have questions about the rebuilding process are encouraged to stop by the Flood Rebuilding & Permit Information Center to speak with a staff member.
Public parking is available at Boulder County Courthouse lot, and City of Boulder parking garage vouchers are available upon check-in at the Center. Residents can also email the Center staff at floodrecovery@bouldercounty.org or call 303-441-1705.
Questions that residents may have include:
· My private residential bridge/culvert/driveway was destroyed by the flood, how do I begin repairs?
· I’m unsure about the status of my septic system, how do I know if the system is still working properly?
· What are the floodplain/floodway regulations and how do they affect my property?
· Do I need to have a structural engineer to inspect the safety of my home?
Visit www.bouldercountyflood.org for rebuilding resources and more information on flood recovery.
A county land-use office to help with rebuilding regulations
Oct 10th
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners will be considering interim development regulations for homes and other structures damaged or destroyed by the historic rains, mudslides and flooding of September 2013. Two upcoming Public Hearings have been scheduled:
What: Planning Commission Public Hearing
When: Wednesday, October 16, 2013, 4:30 pm
Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, third floor, Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder
What: Board of County Commissioners Public Hearing
When: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 4:30 pm
Where: Commissioners’ Hearing Room, third floor, Boulder County Courthouse, 1325 Pearl St., Boulder
Boulder County is planning for the need and desire to rebuild quickly and restore the community while implementing measures to protect public safety and investments through hazard mitigation and avoidance.
“The goal is rebuilding resilient communities which can better withstand extreme events and maintain the community fabric of these impacted areas,” said Land Use Director Dale Case. “Wise, sustainable rebuilding regulations are a vital part of the recovery process.”
In the aftermath of the unprecedented destruction and the magnitude of extreme weather experienced in September, county staff have closely examined existing regulations dating back to the 1990s and determined that they don’t sufficiently meet public safety standards in all circumstances. For example, current regulations allow property owners to replace structures in some cases without a review and in other cases a review which would require a floodplain development permit which may not adequately address currently known flooding behavior.
Given our community’s recent extreme weather experience, county officials believe is counterproductive for individuals, insurance companies and the public to invest the time, money, and energy into rebuilding in a location that is known to be hazardous.
In many cases the regulations will allow rebuilding to occur within existing lot lines, but require that structures be raised up out of the flood hazard areas or relocated out of hazard areas to a safer location on the property. The current regulations also require structures to be rebuilt at the same height as the old structures. The proposed regulations will allow changes in height to accommodate floodproofing, such as raising the height of the structure to avoid future flood damage.
These interim regulations are proposed to be in effect until April 30, 2014. During this time, property owners can rebuild destroyed or substantially damaged structures in safer locations, in a way that meets the floodplain development requirements (if the new structure is proposed to be located in a floodplain) without going through Site Plan Review. Land Use staff will work with property owners and representatives from other county departments to perform a Hazard Mitigation Review. The goal of this review is to help property owners rebuild in a way that is more resilient to future disasters.
During this interim period staff is committed to reaching out to the communities to understand the needs and issues of residents who are facing complex issues to restore their homes, property and lives. As part of the effort to assist property owners and residents impacted by the flood the county has set up a Flood Recovery Center at the county’s Land Use Department staffed by functional experts in onsite wastewater (septic) systems, floodplain regulations, planning and building code. The center and the county will also pursue other restoration resources and hazard mitigation programs to assist those impacted.
The staff recommendation and proposed regulations have been posted to the Land Use Department’s website(www.bouldercounty.org/property/build/pages/lucodeupdatedc130003.aspx) for public review and comment. Residents are encouraged to read the draft, call us at 720-564-2623 if you have questions, email your comments to planner@bouldercounty.org, attend the upcoming public hearings, and make your opinion known.
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County opens more trails
Oct 9th
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Parks and Open Space staff has determined that the following properties are safe and accessible and can open to the public at noon, Oct. 9:
· Mud Lake
· Reynolds Ranch
· Carolyn Holmberg Preserve – Mary Miller Trail to back of Stearns Lake only
· Castle Rock
Opening Thursday, Oct. 10 at sunrise:
· Betasso Preserve– All open except Fourmile entrance and Fourmile Link Trail
Additional parks will be opened as staff can assess conditions and do the work necessary to make them safe and/or accessible. Go to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/trails for a full list.
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