Posts tagged Boulder
Food replacement available to those receiving assistance
Sep 17th
Federal program allows replacement of food lost due to flooding
Boulder County, Colo. – The federal program that provides food assistance to those who qualify for it will replace food lost due to the recent flooding in Boulder County. The replacement funds are available to those who are currently receiving food assistance, and covers food purchased using September Food Assistance benefits.
The recent severe flooding has cut off many Boulder County residents’ access to their food supplies, and in some cases has led to the spoilage or destruction of food. Those who purchased some of their food through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the month of September and have now lost some of it due to the flooding may fill out an affidavit requesting replacement of the funds.
“It’s difficult enough to get the food and other help you need during a disaster like this,” said Larraine Archuleta, director of the Community Support Division of the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS). “We want to be sure those who qualify for these replacement benefits have every opportunity to receive them.”
The value of the food assistance replacement will be based on the purchases made in September through the SNAP program.
Residents who feel they may qualify for the replacement food assistance should contact BCDHHS’ Community Support Manager Lynn Grey at lgrey@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-1000. Those seeking the replacement will need to sign an affidavit, which can be done via email, mail, or in person at one of the BCDHHS locations in Boulder or Longmont once they have been contact by Lynn Grey.
Emergency Operations Center Public Information line: 303-413-7730
Emergency Operations Center Media Line: 720-564-2935 (Media/PIOs Only – Not for Public Dissemination)
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Backed up sewer system raises it’s UGLY head
Sep 15th
Boulder continues to address sanitary sewer system issues citywide
Boulder residents continue to report that water or sewage is backing up into their homes. In most cases, this is groundwater and floodwater, not untreated wastewater (sewage).
However, if residents see or smell solid waste:
- They should evacuate, if possible, as raw sewage represents a health and sanitation risk: and
- Report the backup to the Emergency Call Center at 303-413-7730 and ask that the issue be reported to City of Boulder Public Works crews.
These backups could still be the result of issues on private property, but the city would like to gather the information to determine if it indicates a system failure.
The city understands resident frustration about this issue, but the sanitary sewer system is particularly challenging to address for a number of reasons:
- The city has approximately 355 miles of sanitary sewer lines (pipes) and approximately 9,200 sanitary sewer manholes;
- A large portion of this system has been impacted by floodwaters and access manholes remain under water and inaccessible;
- The collection system (pipes) continues to carry a large amount of flood water, groundwater, mud, and debris; and
- The system functions by gravity and flows downhill to the wastewater treatment plant on 75th Street east of the city.
In order to address system-wide issues, the city must focus on low-lying areas first, which will hopefully become more and more feasible as floodwaters recede. This initial action is necessary as system back-ups (downstream) affects system functionality (upstream). While property owners farther from the creek may not see crews working adjacent to their properties, efforts occurring downstream are needed to restore overall system functionality and relieve backups in their area.
The city continues to urge water conservation measures by all city water customers (residents and businesses); minimizing water use and discharges to the sanitary sewer system will help mitigate impacts to affected residents and preserve the city’s water supply.
During the next few days, the city hopes to make significant progress on restoring system functionality as weather conditions improve and floodwaters recede. Updated information will be available as the city is able to access additional low-lying areas and assess conditions.
For more information, visit www.BoulderOEM.com. To report raw sewage in your home, please call the Emergency Call Center at 303-413-7730 and ask that the issue be reported to City of Boulder Public Works crews.
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All Boulder OSMP properties closed until further notice
Sep 15th
Parks conditions could be dangerous and rescuers are otherwise occupied
In the wake of torrential rain and flooding, the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department requests that citizens respect an emergency order and stay off all OSMP properties. The flooding has caused rockslides and mudslides, which have led to the destabilized bridges and other significant hazards.
Many trees have had their roots compromised, and there is a danger they may come down suddenly. Rocks have also been tumbling down hillsides and they could cause serious injury. Staff needs time to identify and mitigate these dangerous situations.
The Flatirons and other OSMP properties are closed indefinitely..due to rain damage
“Teams that normally assist injured people on OSMP are busy with search and rescue effort around the county,” said Joe Reale, OSMP’s ranger supervisor. “First responder resources are limited at this time.”
OSMP staff members are working hard at assessing the damage. OSMP will reopen areas of the system when it is determined that areas are safe and that users will not be causing additional resource damage.
City Manager Jane Brautigam issued an emergency order Thursday (Sept. 12) afternoon that closed all OSMP properties in response to rain and flooding that has caused these safety concerns. The order is in effect until further notice.
–CITY–
Jennelle Freeston
Coordinator of Volunteer Services
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
66 South Cherryvale Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303
FreestonJ@bouldercolorado.govOSMP
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