Flooded homes to get rapid evaluations
Sep 22nd
On Monday, Sept. 23, City of Boulder building inspection staff, along with certified inspectors from the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council, will begin rapid evaluations of flood-damaged properties. The rapid evaluations will begin in the areas that were most impacted by recent flooding and will be focused in the 100-year flood, high-hazard, and conveyance zones. If your property was affected by the September 2013 flood but is not located in one of these designated floodplain zones, you may call 303-441-1880 to request an assessment.
Inspectors will use specific criteria to check for potential safety threats that are visible from the exterior of flood-damaged properties. After the inspectors have completed an evaluation, they will place one of three colored placards on the property, near the main entrance.
- Green “INSPECTED” placards confirm that a property has been inspected and is safe to occupy.
- Yellow “RESTRICTED USE” placards inform occupants of concerns related to the structure, electrical (power), or mechanical (gas). These placards will include a description of how and why the use is limited. Properties that are restricted to limited uses will require a more detailed evaluation before occupants are allowed to use the entire building.
- Red “UNSAFE” placards inform occupants that a property is unsafe to enter and that substantial measures may be necessary to make the building safe to occupy. A red placard is not a demolition order.
Please allow these placards to remain on the property for at least one week, or until you have been notified otherwise by a City of Boulder representative. If you have any questions about the rapid evaluation process, please contact Planning and Development Services at 303-441-1880.
— CITY —
[includeme file=”/media/boulderfloodsponsors.txt]
Mountain Parks open slowly, starting Sat.
Sep 21st
After historic rain and flooding that caused extensive damage to trails, trailheads and natural resources, the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is announcing that it will open a limited number of trails in Chautauqua on Saturday, Sept. 21.
OSMP anticipates opening up more trails within the week. However, many trails in the system will require substantial rebuilding, and OSMP asks for the public’s patience as the department rebuilds and restores those trails.
Chautauqua trails that will be opened on Saturday are:
· A portion of Chautauqua trail.
· Bluebell Road to the shelter.
· Bluebell Spur
· Bluebell Mesa.
· A portion of the Ski Jump trail.
Trails will be opened from dawn to dusk on-trail only because of existing safety risks. Trails will be closed at night because of hazards not visible in the dark. All other OSMP trails remained closed under an emergency order.
“We have worked as hard as possible in the days after the storm to assess damage and safety dangers,” said Mike Patton, director of the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks department. “We hope to re-open more trails in the next week.”
There are some potential safety risks on trails slated to be re-opened. Current risks on the trails may include rocky and gullied terrain, as well as other potential hazards associated with a major flood event. OSMP stresses that re-opened trails will not be of the same quality residents have seen in the past.
“We understand that the public is anxious to get out on the trails,” Patton said. “We know that OSMP is a place where visitors go to reduce stress. We want to express our deep appreciation for our visitors’ patience at this time.”
Patton also wanted to express his gratitude for the outpouring of offers to help rebuild trails, and restore natural areas. OSMP staff is prioritizing volunteer projects. Volunteer opportunities will be posted at osmp.org as soon as projects are identified.
[includeme file=”/media/boulderfloodsponsors.txt]
–CITY–
Flooded areas water recedes, sewage leaks diminish
Sep 21st
Floodwaters recede and wastewater backups diminish; customer assistance needed
City requests customer help to identify localized backups as crews continue to respond
After extensive efforts, the City of Boulder Utilities Division has restored the ability of primary sanitary sewer pipelines to deliver wastewater from neighborhoods to the Wastewater Treatment Facility on 75th Street.
Sewage back-ups have slowed as flood water recedes
These efforts, combined with receding floodwaters, should allow pipes serving neighborhoods to drain and relieve backups into homes and businesses. Flows reaching the wastewater treatment facility have decreased, from an excess of 50 million gallons per day (following the flood event) to 31 million gallons this morning.
While flows still remain at approximately two times the normal rate for this time of year, the change reflects a significant decrease in the amount of groundwater and floodwater entering the wastewater collection system and has allowed crews to access key pipelines to remove dirt and debris.
Given the extent of major flooding, it is likely that numerous blockages and damaged pipes impacting smaller areas remain. In order to allow those issues to be addressed more efficiently, the city is requesting that residents and businesses who are still experiencing backups contact the Public Works Call Center at 303-413-7100 as soon as possible. Updated information from customers will help crews more quickly locate and resolve issues in the city’s more than 355 miles of pipe and approximately 9,200 manholes.
The Public Works Call Center is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If the public need remains, the city will extend call center hours over the weekend to be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For complete flood response and recovery information, visit www.bouldefloodinfo.net. Residents may also sign up to get flood updates right to their email inbox.
[includeme file=”/media/boulderfloodsponsors.txt]
–CITY–
