The Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the National Weather Service for flood advisory information. We are currently in Flood Watch mode which means that flash flooding is possible within Boulder County. Continue to monitor the media or check back to this status page for additional updates and information.
Additionally, the Sheriff's Office has issued a high water advisory for Boulder Creek and the North and South St. Vrain Creeks. Recreationists are being urged to use caution along the creeks and be aware of creek banks that may become unstable due to the high water.
Tues., June 8 - 16:00
The Emergency Operations Center has closed. No further updates will be published here unless conditions change and warrant the reactivation of the EOC.
-###-
June 8, 2010 - 5:40 p.m.
Crews have been successful at removing some debris and a major part of the Red Lion Inn bridge. They plan to remain on scene and dismantle the remainder of the bridge this evening, but the threat of a surge of water has been reduced enough that the Emergency Operations Center is closing down. The Boulder Creek path is subject to additional closures, but will be opened back up to the public around 6 p.m. tonight. However, community members are advised to stay alert and stay away from high waters until further notice. Emergency officials will continue to monitor the situation and alert the public as the situation warrants.
June 8, 2010 - 4 p.m.
Crews are continuing to remove debris from underneath the damaged Red Lion Inn bridge and will start an effort soon to slowly dismantle the bridge. The hope is that by removing the bridge in a systematic, controlled way, crews can prevent a complete structural failure and minimize the amount of water that could surge downstream. Hydrologists have advised that this is a good time of day for this effort as stream flows will be at their lowest points over the next few hours. Community members along the creek can expect to see a transitory increase in water flow and may see some debris coming down Boulder Creek. Flooding, if any, is expected to be limited to bike paths and the banks of the creek themselves. The paths remain closed, and community members are urged to stay away until this emergency is resolved. Dive teams continue to stand by in the event any rescues are necessary.
June 8, 2010 - 1:50 p.m.
Digging has begun in hopes of facilitating a controlled release of the water that is backed up behind the damaged Red Lion Inn bridge. Boulder Canyon Road is limited to one lane. Community members downstream are urged to stay off creek paths and remain alert.
June 8, 2010 - 11:55 a.m.
Crews are on scene at the bridge and awaiting equipment that will be used to try to remove some of the collected debris. The plan at this point is to facilitate a controlled release of the backed up water, in hopes of preventing a surge. Some natural release is occurring. When construction equipment starts to arrive, there may be a temporary closure of Hwy. 119.
June 8, 2010 - 11: 25 a.m.
Community members are reminded of
these safety measures during a flood:
Never drive in flood waters - It only takes 18 inches
of water to carry a vehicle away.
Don't walk in flood waters - If the water is over your
ankles, turn around and go the other way.
Climb to safety - Moving as little as 10 feet higher
than where you are can make all the difference.
Do not seek shelter from rain in underpasses. These are
designed to carry floodwaters and you may swept away.
Additional information about what to do
if you are inside and how to handle basement flooding is available on the city's flood information page.
June 8, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
This is the text of the emergency alert that went out:
Flash flood expected along Boulder Creek and low lying areas, bike path closed, stay away from these areas, tune to 850 KOA for further information.
June 8, 2010 - 10:45 a.m.
Emergency notifications have been sent out to 219 phone numbers in the county and more than 3,000 in the city for the Creek Path corridor, running from the bridge site to 28th Street. The message is alerting people to stay away from the bike paths. The east side of the culvert bridge at Red Lion Restaurant has washed out.
June 8, 2010 - 10:30 a.m.
A culvert-style bridge near the Red Lion Restaurant, located at 37400 Boulder Canyon Dr., in Boulder Canyon partially washed out overnight. Debris has plugged up the culvert and water has backed up behind the bridge.
The water and debris have begun to wash through, and CDOT is working to create a diversion to reduce flooding. There are concerns that a surge of approximately 2 feet of water could come down the canyon. Because of already high levels, the creek is likely to spill its banks along the Boulder Creek Path.
The Sheriff's Office and Boulder Police Department are concerned about the bike path area near Boulder Creek. Currently, officers are clearing the bike path of all users. No other evacuations have been called for at this time.
The Boulder Creek path is now closed between Boulder Canyon and 30th Street and community members are urged to avoid areas near Boulder Creek until further notice. This includes all areas along the creek between Eben G. Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park.
Boulder Creek is currently running at the 3.6 feet stage. A level of 4 feet is when the creek will spill its banks.
The main branch of the Boulder Library is partially opening. Patrons can access the south door on Arapahoe Avenue and use the south side of the library. The bridge over Boulder Creek and the north side of the library building are closed.
Everbridge emergency notifications have been sent out to residents and businesses along the creek corridor. This is an emergency notification system that sends text messages to all landlines plus mobile devices for people who have registered in advance.
The media is asked to not go up the canyon to get footage. Officials need to keep that route clear for emergency responders. Reporters can stage at Eben G. Fine Park to get footage of the water. They are urged to use caution and stay some distance from the creek.
The City of Boulder and Boulder County Emergency Operation Center has been activated. No other formal press releases will be sent out. Status updates will be posted at http://boulderoem.com/emergency-status.html.