Fires, Floods, Snow extremes

Emergency Status

This page displays all public information that has been released about emergencies occurring in our community.

We are committed to posting updates as soon as new and verified details become available. The information is displayed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top. If you are keeping this page up, PLEASE REFRESH PERIODICALLY FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.

9-14-2013 Next Media Briefing Scheduled for 5:00pm

The next media briefing is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST today . City and county officials along with the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team will be providing updates. This is instead of the 4:30 p.m. briefing that was announced this morning. We switched the time at the request of media outlets that plan to carry the conference live at 5 p.m.

Lower Boulder canyon

9-14-2013 11:00am Left Hand Water District Clarification

There has been some confusion about the boil water advisory that was sent  out for the Left Hand Water district.  The advisory was for those served by the Left Hand Water district only, if you are served by Left Hand Water district you would pay your bill directly to them. City of Boulder, Gunbarrel, City of Longmont, Town of Lafayette, Eldorado Springs, and Town of Erie drinking water continues to be safe to drink. If your drinking water is purchased from the any of those districts, you do not have to boil it.

Some residents appear to have received the phone call from the Left Hand Water District to boil water. The phone call was sent to a geographic area, but there were some water customers included that are not served by the Left Hand Water district and some got the call inadvertently. Check your water bill to determine who your water provider is. If you are in an HOA or a multifamily or rental unit and your water bill is paid by the HOA or your landlord, ask them to confirm who provides your water. Visit lefthandwater.org and scroll down to the “District Service Clarification” section for more information.

The Town of Lyons still continue to be under a boil water advisory.

9-14-2013 9 a.m. Media Briefing Summary

• Emergency personnel are focusing on life safety search and rescue operations.
• Lots of air support will be used throughout the day to evacuate people.
• Numerous mountain roads are flooded, damaged and impassable, making rescue operations more challenging.
• Transportation crews are working on repairing roads for rescue and evacuation efforts.
• More than 200 people are unaccounted for, but necessarily missing. Emergency officials are working hard to collect an updated list of names from hospitals, shelters and evacuation sites.
• Sunshine Canyon is the only access route to Nederland and is open to emergency vehicles only.
• Approximately 50 people are still in Jamestown and law enforcement personnel are urging them to evacuate as it is not known when the roads will be repaired.
• Officials are urging people to stay off the roads, especially in the mountains, to allow emergency personnel to do their job.
• The children at the Cal-Wood Education Center will be rescued today.
• Officials are still working on a plan for debris and trash removal. Please do not leave debris in streets as this may impede safety vehicles.
• No immediate threat to drinking water in Boulder, Erie, Lafayette or Longmont. Please limit discretionary water usage, to the extent possible.
• Stay out of floodwaters, which are contaminated and unsafe.

Thanks to all of the evacuation centers, federal partners and the community for all your continue patience and support.

9-14-13 8:50 a.m. City of Boulder Water is Safe to Drink

City of Boulder drinking water continues to be safe to drink. If your drinking water is purchased from the City of Boulder, you do not have to boil it. Some residents appear to have received the phone call from the Left Hand Water District to boil water. The phone call was sent to a geographic area, but there are also City of Boulder water customers in that area and some got the call inadvertently. However, if you get your drinking water from the City of Boulder, you do NOT need to boil water. Check your water bill to determine who your water provider is. If you are in an HOA or a multifamily or rental unit and your water bill is paid by the HOA or your landlord, ask them to confirm who provides your water.

Visit lefthandwater.org and scroll down to the “District Service Clarification” section for more information.