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: Updated transportation maps and a roads hotline available
Oct 3rd
ROADS HOTLINE
In addition to keeping an updated map and chart of Boulder County road closures, Boulder County has established a “Roads Hotline” at 303-441-3928 (staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). Residents and visitors with questions about county roads, culverts and bridges damaged by the flood can call this number for information.
GPS & MAPPING
The unprecedented destruction of roads and private property in Boulder County, especially in the central foothills and mountain areas, has rendered many roads impassable to public traffic. GPS devices and online mapping services may not be keeping up with road closures on a “real time” basis. The safest bet to ensure an accurate picture of open roadways in Boulder County is to check the Road Closures page on www.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
PUBLIC SAFETY & ROAD MAINTENANCE
Boulder County officials have made it an immediate priority to repair and reconstruct county roads and bridges damaged in the flood. Mountain residents are asked to minimize trips into and out of damaged areas to allow road crews to do repairs. Additionally, visitors and plains residents are requested to curtail recreation in the mountain areasbetween these points:
- U.S. 36 (Foothills Hwy) and Hwy 72/Hwy 7 (Peak to Peak) (central west and northwest Boulder County)
- Hwy 93/Hwy 7 and Hwy 72/Hwy 119 (southwest Boulder County)
Travel is permissible along the Peak to Peak Highway, north to south. Visitors can access the Towns of Nederland and Allenspark in Boulder County and Estes Park in Larimer County along Peak to Peak Highway (SH 72/119/7).
“It is incredibly difficult to rebuild roads with people on them, so please avoid the damaged mountain roads unless absolutely necessary, and minimize even residential trips to keep roads clear for heavy equipment and emergency vehicles,” said George Gerstle, Boulder County Transportation Director. “It is difficult and takes much longer for the crews to fix a road with traffic on it. The fewer people using the road, the faster we can get the work done.”
COUNTY ROAD REPAIRS
Boulder County Transportation is receiving many questions about when county roads in the unincorporated areas will be repaired and permanently restored. Recognizing that restoring all damaged facilities to pre-flood condition is an enormous task, the county is currently conducting a comprehensive damage assessment that will help establish long-term priorities and plans for infrastructure restoration.
County Transportation is currently working on several parallel tracks to restore immediate access, ensure public safety, and develop long term priorities and plans for infrastructure restoration:
- Residential Mountain Access: County road crews are working to restore minimal safe access to areas that are currently inaccessible. This activity is taking place largely in the mountain areas so that residents can inspect homes and utilities can be restored. The county will continue working to maintain minimal safe access to mountain areas through the winter.
- Damage Assessment: The County has completed damage assessments for approximately 67% of its road and bridge facilities. Most of the facilities still to be assessed for damage are in mountain areas that remain inaccessible. County road crews are constructing 4 wheel drive/ATV accesses to these areas so that the county can assess current conditions and flood damage.
- Road and Bridge Restoration: For road and bridge facilities where damage is known, the County is developing cost estimates in order to design and construct permanent repair and replacement facilities. Right now this primarily involves roads and bridges on the plains in eastern Boulder County. Due to the impending winter season, construction will take place predominantly in the spring. However, if there is construction activity that can be undertaken during the winter effectively and appropriate, the county will pursue this possibility.
- Stabilizing Bridges: There are several bridges and roads that sustained damage due to creeks leaving their pre-flood channels. The County is working to realign and restore creeks in select places where doing so presents further damage and allows existing bridges to function as they were intended.
SNOW REMOVAL
As winter approaches, crews will plow roads and keep roads open to the best extent possible. However, there may be a need for new and additional closures, should snowfall be heavy. In the mountains, residents will need to be extremely cautious as roads, particularly those that now provide minimal safe access, may be subject to wash-out conditions and require frequent repairs.
For public safety reasons and in order to allow crews to do their work, Boulder County’s Road Maintenance Division is requesting motorists to please be aware of the following issues.
- Drive slowly and carefully; hazards that previously could be seen and avoided may be hidden after a snowfall.
- Many roads are only one lane in places which will require extra diligence and courtesy on every driver’s part.
- Give the right of way to oncoming snow removal equipment, it will be much easier for a car or pickup to find a location to stop or pull over than it will be for our large snow removal equipment.
- Be aware that county roads that are not affected by damage may experience minor delays for snow removal due to diverted resources.
- Allow extra time for travel in those areas affected by the flood rough roads, steep shoulder drop offs, single lane roads, visibility and other hazards will require everyone’s attention and vigilance.
Rental Matching Service Available for Displaced Boulder County Residents
Oct 2nd
Collaboration will help address shortage of rental housing supply
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents displaced by the recent flooding now have another tool to help them find available rental housing. A regional service that matches renters with property owners is working with residents to place them in short-term rental units, and is waiving most of its fees for the matching service.
Boulder County, the cities of Boulder and Longmont, Foothills United Way, and Housing Helpers partnered to create and roll out the rental housing plan. Housing Helpers is working with property owners and has identified about 60 units that would work as short-term solutions for those in need to continue to live in or near Boulder County.
“We know there’s not much rental housing available in Boulder County for our neighbors who’ve been displaced by the flooding, especially those who don’t yet know when they can return to their homes” said Jeff Yegian, Acting Manager of the City of Boulder’s Division of Housing. “This is a solution for some of them, and we want to encourage those residents most in need to get in touch now to find out more.”
Residents impacted by the flooding who are seeking short-term rental housing can contact Housing Helpers by phone at 303-545-6000 or on the web at www.HousingHelpers.com to see if they qualify for the service. Property owners offering short-term rental options for individuals or families displaced by the flooding are encouraged to call Housing Helpers to list their property at no charge. Additional information on housing resources, including financial assistance that may be available for short-term housing, can be found at www.BoulderCountyFlood.org, www.BoulderFloodInfo.net, and www.LongmontOEM.com.
“We still want our neighbors to know that most of the available rental housing is located outside Boulder County, mostly to our south and east,” said Frank Alexander, Director of the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services. “Regardless of whether people look for rentals through this matching service or on their own, we hope that they do it right away and that they understand it might be necessary to relocate outside the area for some time.”
City/County: Look east and south for rentals
Sep 27th
Those impacted by flooding encouraged to seek housing rentals along U.S. 36 corridor (south and southeast of the City of Boulder)
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County residents displaced from their homes by the recent flooding are being encouraged to search for affordable rental housing outside the county as soon as possible. Prior to the flooding, rental vacancy rates across Boulder County were between one and three percent, and have already fallen further due to competition created by the flooding. In particular, residents needing affordable rental units are urged to search southeast and south of Boulder County along the U.S. 36 corridor.
“We don’t know right now how long repairs will take for both houses and roads, and we want our impacted residents to have a realistic view of what’s necessary in terms of finding temporary housing,” said Frank Alexander, Director of the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS). “The sooner the rental search begins in places like Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, Brighton, and Golden, the better it will be for those who’ve had to move from their homes because of the flooding.”
Polling of rental property owners indicates few affordable rental units are currently available in Boulder County. Residents are encouraged to broaden searches to include smaller units and apartments, and to discuss their options for shorter-term leases with property owners. Residents are also urged to be sure they know their rights as renters. Boulder County has a list of available housing assistance resources, including information for renters, atwww.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
“Unfortunately, there is no quick solution to the shortage of rental units in Boulder County,” said Boulder County Commissioner Cindy Domenico. “We want to be sure our residents know they may need to look outside Boulder County to meet their housing needs.”
Many displaced residents may be able to find housing with family, friends, or neighbors. As with other rental types, those who qualify for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may have the option of using the funds to help cover up to two months of rent payments. A legal lease is required to obtain FEMA funding to help cover rent payments.
Boulder County continues to help operate two Disaster Assistance Centers: 1) Twin Peaks Mall (1250 S. Hover Road at Highway 119) in Longmont, and at 5495 Arapahoe Avenue (near the intersection of 55th and Arapahoe) in Boulder. Among other services, both locations offer FEMA assistance as well as resources for food, financial help, volunteer cleanup, and other housing options.
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