City wants citizen reports to document the flood
Sep 27th
Crowdsourcing map to capture Boulder flood data and stories
The City of Boulder has launched a ‘Community Flood Assessment’ crowdsourcing map to capture flood data and stories from Boulder residents and businesses. This resident-scientist approach will empower the Boulder community to contribute to our shared learning and documentation of this historic event.
Community submittals are called ‘reports,’ and users can attach photos or videos to enhance their story or data submittals. The easy-to-use map creates geo-located pins associated with specific date-and-time categories like:
- Flooding;
- Road damage;
- Path Damage;
- Property Damage;
- Debris; and
- Overflows.
Residents are asked to backdate reports, so all users can have a better understanding of what happened and when (i.e. post data when it actually happened, not with the current date and time).
This specific data on place-and-time flooding activities will assist in the city in assessing the entire flood event and help inform future planning efforts.
The mapping application, called Crowdmap (powered by Ushahidi), was originally designed and built to crowdsource crisis information. The mapping application can be used on a desktop computer and is also Smartphone enabled with apps for both iPhone and Android devices.
Residents are encouraged to read the Crowdmap Terms of Use and Privacy notice. Once posted, all data, photos and videos become public domain and can be used by all site users including the City of Boulder.
For more Boulder flood information, visit www.BoulderFloodinfo.net or sign up for flood info updates right to your email inbox.
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The bill for flood damage (preliminary estimate)= $48,910,000.00
Sep 26th
City of Boulder releases preliminary flood-related damage assessments
The City of Boulder today provided the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with a preliminary damage assessment stemming from the storms and floods that started on Sept. 11, 2013. Citywide, the total released today amounts to $48,910,000, although the city has communicated with FEMA that some infrastructure is still under water or covered by debris and cannot be assessed at this time.
The following chart provides a more specific breakdown:
| Open Space and Mountain Parks |
$17,670,000 |
| Parks and Recreation |
$2,390,000 |
| Utilities: Water |
$3,300,000 |
| Utilities: Wastewater |
$2,500,000 |
| Utilities: Stormwater/Flood |
$13,850,000 |
| Transportation |
$6,000,000 |
| Facilities and Asset Management |
$3,200,000 |
| Preliminary Damage Assessment Total |
$48,910,000 |
OPEN SPACE AND MOUNTAIN PARKS
Approximately 64 percent, or 93 miles of the 145 miles of trails within the OSMP system have significant to severe damage. Estimates include repair, restoration and/or replacement of trails, ecology, water delivery infrastructure and fencing.
PARKS AND RECREATION
Approximately 34 percent, or 35 of the 98 parks and recreation facilities have significant damage. Estimates include repair, restoration and/or replacement of facilities, structures, playgrounds, multi-use fields and courts, and paths.
UTILITIES
Water
Damage estimates include the restoration of erosion that is jeopardizing water delivery pipelines and access roads to critical water infrastructure.
Wastewater
Damage estimates include inspecting and cleaning 25 percent of the approximate 400 miles of pipe in the storm sewer system.
Stormwater/ Flood
Damage estimates include inspecting and cleaning 100 percent of the approximate 160 miles of pipe in the storm sewer system. Damage estimates include the reconstruction of improved drainageway features, which will require the removal of vast amounts of sediment and debris.
TRANSPORTATION
Approximately 1 percent or three miles of the roads, citywide, have been damaged. There are approximately 300 miles of roads that exist within the City of Boulder. It is estimated that approximately 20 percent, or 60 miles of the roads, were covered in debris.
The City of Boulder has 60 miles of bike path within the city limits. Approximately, 15 percent, or nine miles, of the path was damaged, based on preliminary estimates.
FACILITIES AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT (FAM): BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Eighty-four percent or 306 of the 365 buildings and structures have been assessed. Utility and parking structures still require assessment. Of those 306 assets, approximately 35, or 9 percent are estimated to have damage.
The city will be coordinating closely with county, state and federal authorities to ensure that repair work is conducted properly and in accordance with FEMA reimbursement and quality guidelines. The city appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with our partners and the community’s patience.
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News briefs on flood recovery
Sep 26th
City partners with Foothills United Way to jump-start clean-up efforts
The City of Boulder and Foothills United Way have developed a partnership to help repair flood-related damage to the city’s parks and open space areas. Today, the city began working with Foothills United Way, utilizing its established Volunteer Connection web portal to enroll and assign volunteers to city projects.
Individuals who are interested in assisting with city projects should visit BoulderFloodInfo.net and click on Volunteer Opportunities. From there, select City of Boulder Flood Recovery for a list of projects with the city or city departments. If you click on a project, you will be given more details and an opportunity to sign up online.
A few opportunities, starting as soon as this Saturday, are already listed and more will be added as the organization continues to prioritize work plan items and determine which projects are safe enough to invite public participation.
“We are so thankful for the outpouring we have seen from community members who are eager to volunteer,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam. “We hope this partnership with United Way will make it easy to find the opportunities that are most-suited to your interests, skills and schedule. We look forward to rebuilding together.”
Disaster Assistance Centers to reduce hours as help transitions back to city, county offices and network of non-profit partners
Boulder County’s Longmont and Boulder Disaster Assistance Centers (DACs) will reduce their open hours beginning Friday, Sept. 27, as all services being offered at the centers begin to transition back to city and county offices and community non-profit organizations.
On Friday, the Boulder DAC’s hours will shift to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Longmont DAC’s hours will remain the same, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, both DACs will maintain a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. County and city staff will transition out of the centers at some point early next week. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel will remain at both locations for an undetermined period of time from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
“These Disaster Assistance Centers have collectively served over 3,600 households in a week and a half,” said Garry Sanfacon, Boulder County Flood Recovery Manager. “Because of excellent collaboration between city, county, state and federal agencies and local non-profits and volunteers, we’ve provided crucial support to thousands of people hit hard by the flooding. As we transition out of the centers, we will continue to provide these services efficiently and effectively from our offices.”
The Disaster Assistance Centers have been serving those impacted by Boulder County’s severe flooding since Monday, Sept. 16 in Longmont, and Thursday, Sept. 19 in Boulder. At both locations, residents have received help with housing, food, transportation, clean-up, medical needs, and much more.
The DACs are located at Twin Peaks Mall in Longmont (1250 South Hover Road) and 5495 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder. More information is available at BoulderCountyFlood.org or BoulderFloodInfo.net.
City’s Public Works Call Center to change hours starting Monday
Due to reduced call volume, the City of Boulder’s Public Works call center is amending its hours of operation beginning Monday, Sept. 30. The new hours will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Boulder residents and businesses may call 303-413-7100 to report new water, wastewater or stormwater issues within the city limits, including:
- sewage backups or odors;
- water main breaks, which may cause water to come up through the ground;
- water service disruptions; and
- missing manhole covers or storm drain concerns.
Parks and Recreation eager to serve the public; most city parks and facilities are open
Did you know that despite all the damage that occurred as the result of the recent flood, the majority of Boulder’s parks and recreation facilities are open and being actively used by our community?
Limited closures remain in effect due to hazards. These are:
- Three city parks – Elks, Eben G. Fine and Elmer’s Two Mile;
- Boulder Reservoir
- Knollwood tennis court
- Boulder Creek Path
All three recreation centers are buzzing with activity with the exception of two gym closures (at the South Boulder Recreation Center and the North Boulder Recreation Center) and the gymnastics facility. Boulder Reservoir is expected to re-open on Saturday, and the gymnastics facility is expected to re-open on Monday.
While the city is asking the public to honor the closures, Parks and Recreation staff members invite the community to enjoy all of the services and facilities that are available during this stressful time. The department is also working to make the necessary repairs to re-open closed areas as soon as possible. VisitBoulderFloodInfo.net for the most up-to-date closure information.
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