Recovery and Resilience in Jefferson County

Click on the images to view the three different facebook photo albums.  

Photos were taken by  Amber Luttrell, Community Relations Manager

Jefferson County communities are continuing to recover from the #JeffcoFlood.  Today, September 17, 2013, public information officers with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office accompanied emergency personnel as they rescued three families in Coal Creek Canyon (Highway 72).

  

Neighborhood Family Rescue

The rescue of the families included the rescue of their furry companions.  The first family rescued was accompanied by three Irish Wolfhounds named Tully, Pi & Oscar.  The second family brought with them 1 Black Labrador Retriever puppy named Gauge.  The final family carried out their Maltese, named Zoey, and a cat named Eleanor.  These families and their pets had not left their homes in days. 

  

Boots On The Ground - Emergency Response Personnel

During the rescue the residents shared some of their stories.  One family explained how, due to the gas outage in the area, the three families could not cook on their stoves so they gathered together to share crock-pot, microwave, and bbq recipes.  One of the rescued residents also shared how she and her daughter received moral support from other family members who had lived through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. 

The pictures in these albums do not only chronicle the rescue that took place today in Coal Creek Canyon.   These pictures do not only show damages along Coal Creek Canyon.  These pictures do not only share the damage sustained to buildings in the area.  These pictures also show the resilience of our Jefferson County communities.

  

Coal Creek Canyon Damage

#JeffcoFlood #CCCF #Jeffco #JCSO
#CoFlood #Colorado Flood
#ColoradoStrong

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the families who provided their permission for these photos to be taken and shared.



All Voluntary Evacuations Lifted in Jefferson County 9/17 5:20 PM

All level 1 (voluntary) evacuation orders in Jefferson County have been lifted. If you are returning to your home please exercise care and caution.  Should you need any assistance as you reoccupy home please consult the list of resources that are available on this Recovery Resources Spreadsheet.

#JeffcoFlood Road Updates: 9/17 5 PM

Updates: 

Upper Bear Creek Drive is now open to local residents.  There is a bridge located near 32034 Upper Bear Creek that is now closed (2.6 miles east of Evergreen).  This means that residents with an address of 31910 and lower must exit the area via Evergreen Parkway.  Residents with an address of 32034 and higher must exit through Witter Gulch (to Stagecoach Blvd or Squaw Pass).


In Kittredge, the bridge on Welch Ave, just south of Highway 74 has been closed due to structural concerns.  Residents can access the area through the other local bridges.

Golden Gate Canyon is open to all traffic.  Please continue to be aware of the emergency and construction traffic in the area. If you need to use Crawford Gulch Road be aware that intermittent closures may take place due to the need to provide road and bridge repair crews safe access to the area.


Twin Spruce / Gap road is open but there is a heavy amount of construction traffic in the area.  Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.  Twin Spruce is closed at Burland Drive.

Ongoing Closures:
Crescent Park in Upper Coal Creek Canyon is impassable.

Highway 72 remains closed from Blue Mountain Drive to Pincliffe.

Evergreen (74 and 73) remains open.

Beaver Brook Canyon road remains impassable.  Watch http://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/Alertcenter.aspx for updates.

Closures remain on Indiana between 120th and 72nd.

We will update our google map when we receive definitive word that any of these closure have been lifted.  Please continue to exercise care as you drive in the affected areas.




View #JeffCoFlood Jefferson County Flood Information in a larger map

Send us your Pictures of Home Damage in Jeffco

We are working to get aid to Jeffco residents who have damage to their homes due to the floods.  In order to do that, we need photos showing the damage.  We only want pictures of damaged homes... not roadways.  Please send your photos to jeffcosheriff@gmail.com.

 

Jeffco Flood Update 9-17 9 a.m.

Damage assessment in the county is being hindered by limited access to many affected areas. Preliminary cost to Jefferson County infrastructure is estimated at $6,000,000.

• Preliminary structural damage estimates are: 14 residences destroyed, 215 damaged and 5,805 threatened.  
• 24 commercial properties have been damaged and 24 are threatened. It is unknown at this time if any commercial structures have been destroyed.35 minor structures have been destroyed, 57 damaged and 106 threatened. 

County and local officials will be going door to door to confirm property damage today. These individuals will have official identification.
Following is a summary of significant events in Jefferson County over the last 36 hours are headed by: An announcement that Jefferson County has received a Presidential disaster declaration from FEMA which will provide direct financial assistance to the county for infrastructure repair and direct costs of dealing with the flood emergency.

•  Damage assessments and evaluations are proceeding. Anyone who needs to report property damage should call 303-271-4930.
• Water service to 500 customers served by the Lookout Mountain Water Treatment Facility was affected by a severed water intake line. • Sandbagging efforts by the Colorado National Guard and local residents and first responders on the last night of heavy rains helped to mitigate more flood damage to the town of Evergreen. 
• A preliminary meeting was held to discuss the rebuilding process between county officials and involved stakeholders

#JeffcoFlood Road Update 9/17 6:30 AM - Golden Gate Canyon Open

Golden Gate Canyon is now open.

Crescent Park in Upper Coal Creek Canyon is impassable.

Twin Spruce / Gap road is open but there is a heavy amount of construction traffic in the area.  Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.



View #JeffCoFlood Jefferson County Flood Information in a larger map

#JeffcoFlood Road Closures 9/17 AM

Update:

Golden Gate Canyon is now open.
Crescent Park in Upper Coal Creek Canyon is impassable.
Twin Spruce / Gap road is open but there is a heavy amount of construction traffic in the area.  Please avoid the area unless absolutely necessary.

*********

There are no new updates to the road closures around the #JeffcoFlood area.

Highway 72 remains closed from Blue Mountain Drive to Pincliffe.

Twin Spruce Gap Road (access to 119) remains open. (See www.coalcreekfirefd.org/blog)

Golden Gate Canyon remains closed from highway 93 to Robinson Hill.

Evergreen (74 and 73) remains open.

Upper Bear Creek remains closed.

Beaver Brook Canyon road remains impassable.  Watch http://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/Alertcenter.aspx for updates.

Watch for closures in and around Indiana between 120th and 72nd.

We will update our google map when we receive definitive word that any of these closure have been lifted.  Please continue to exercise care as you drive in the affected areas.



View #JeffCoFlood Jefferson County Flood Information in a larger map

Mine Correction: The Pond is Fine

INFORMATION UPDATE: The Colorado Department of Public Health reports that the information regarding the tailing pond at Schwartzwalder Mine is incorrect. There has been no breach of the pond. There has been no contamination from the mine.

Latest on State Highway Road Closures from CDOT

From the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT):

As you are aware, parts of our state are experiencing historic flooding with catastrophic damage to the transportation network. To say what has happened over the last week and over the weekend is unprecedented is an understatement.  As of today, we know that we have lost 30 state highway bridges, with damage to 20 more, and another 20 structures that can’t be reached for inspection.  As state elected officials, we would like to share with you the latest in our recovery work and where to find the up-to-date information on highway closures. 

Teams of Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance and engineering personnel worked through the weekend to assess infrastructure condition.  CDOT crews are continuing to evaluate infrastructure to ensure public safety and provide estimates on what lies ahead for the recovery and reconstruction.  Once conditions are safe, it will take several weeks to determine the actual extent and cost of damage to our highway system.   A special team from the Vermont Department of Transportation is already in Colorado to share lessons and best practices from their monumental recovery from Hurricane Irene.  In addition, CDOT is organizing regional meetings with local partners to determine the full extent of the impact from this historic disaster and to coordinate rebuilding efforts. Recovering from the flooding will be the biggest challenge in our 100 year history, and perhaps the biggest challenge CDOT will face in the next 100 years.

Below you will find links to the latest information we have regarding closures.  Please note that the closures below are only for state highways and interstates. Cities, counties and towns may have closed additional roads in their specific area.  For safety reasons, CDOT is recommending that travelers do not stop on the highways to view the water or roadway damage.

Get the latest Highway Flood information and check for updates

You can also find roadway and travel information at www.cotrip.org and on your mobile device with the CDOT Mobile App.  To download CDOT Mobile, simply text “CDOT” to 25827 or search CDOT Mobile in your App Store

Thank you to our Jefferson County Animal Rescue Team

We have such great, wonderful, volunteers still working hard at caring for large animals displaced by rains and floods. Thanks to all J-CART (Jefferson County Animal Response Team) and Jefferson County Horse Council members. You guys rock!

Clear Creek Closed in Golden 9/16 1:45PM

City of Golden, Colorado – Effective immediately, by order of the City of Golden Police Department will limit waterway activities on Clear Creek. The boundaries affected by the order extend from Grant Terry Park Bridge, mile marker 270 and eastward along the canyon through the city limits of Golden including Vanover Park. 

Water activities prohibited by the order include all single-chambered air inflated devices such as belly boats, inner tubes and single chambered rafts, as well as “body-surfers” and swimming. Violators may be issued a summons for a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars. These restrictions will be strictly enforced in an effort to minimize the risk to those using the waterway. 

Kayaks, whitewater canoes and multi-chambered professionally guided rafts and river boards are exempt, but are encouraged to observe extreme caution due to the safety concerns surrounding swift moving water and floating debris. All of the above users and occupants must have the use of a Type I, Type III, or Type V Coast Guard approved paddling life jacket and a water use designed helmet.

These temporary water restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

William Kilpatrick

Chief of Police

http://www.cityofgolden.net/latest-news/clear-creek-closed-to-some-recreational-users/

Alert from the City of Arvada: Schwartzwalder Mine Failure (UPDATED Information Posted Above)

Post by City of Arvada Government.

Residents of the Lookout Mountain Water District - Drinking Water is Safe, Please Conserve

Updated/Correction Post: 9/16 3:30

Emergency crews have assessed the pipeline and determined that it is not yet damaged. The water is safe and potable.

**********
Original Post:

The main supply line to the Lookout Mountain water treatment facility has been damaged. Repairs to the line will take several days.

The Lookout Mountain Water District has enough water in their stored system to sustain the district at this time.  The water from the district is safe to drink.  Residents are simply asked to conserve their water usage to help ensure that their is enough water to sustain the district until the supply line can be repaired.

The affected area is North of I-70 to the face of Golden Gate Canyon and to the west of Mother Cabrini to Genesee exit.

For additional updates monitor http://WWW.lookoutmountainwaterdistrict.org or recorded line 303.526.2025.

Monday morning Update 9-16 10 a.m.

There’s a break in the storm, but serious conditions continue in large parts of Jefferson County.

TODAY IS A DAY TO THINK SAFETY

• There is an increased emphasis on damage assessment today. Private and commercial structures and public infrastructure has been compromised in northern portions of the county, Coal Creek Canyon, the Bear Creek drainages, Golden Gate Canyon and other areas.  Jefferson County or Incident Management personnel with official identification may be in affected areas to obtain property damage information.
• The Colorado National Guard will be continuing with sandbagging efforts today in and above Evergreen.
• The public is warned to never work near running water without a life jacket or other personal flotation device, even on their own property. Everyone should avoid fast-flowing water if at all possible.
• Standing water continues to be a serious health danger. Feet and legs should be protected from exposure to flood water. Any cut or other skin break contacting flood water, especially standing water, can be a doorway for dangerous infection.  

See these links to the Jefferson County Public Health Department for detailed information on how to protect your health if you have been impacted by flooding:

Flood Fact Sheet 

Food and Water Safety

Food Service Establishments Disaster Handout

Golden Gate Canyon open to Local Residents only 9/16 8:45AM

Golden Gate Canyon is open to local residents only.  This is to allow emergency personnel the ability to efficiently operate in the area.



View #JeffCoFlood Jefferson County Flood Information in a larger map

7 Day Forecast for the Golden area from National Weather Service

Direct Link to National Weather Service

• TodayA chance of drizzle before 9am, then a slight chance of showers between 9am and noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• TonightA 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 9 mph in the evening.
• TuesdaySunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
• Tuesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming west southwest 5 to 7 mph in the evening.
• WednesdayMostly sunny, with a high near 82. West southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
• Wednesday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 49.
• ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 71.
• Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 45.
• FridayMostly sunny, with a high near 74.
• Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 50.
• SaturdaySunny, with a high near 77.
• Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 51.
• SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Video from Evergreen Taken Last Night (9/16)

Thank you for your attentiveness and preparedness last night.  Here is a video taken last night at 10:00 PM in downtown Evergreen.



Please remain aware of the conditions in your area today. A flash flood advisory remains in place for areas within Jefferson County until 9:15 AM.  A flood watch will be in effect from 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM this evening (9/16).  See the National Weather Service for more information.

• Flash Flood Watch in effect from September 16, 12:00 PM MDT until September 16, 07:00 PM MDT
• Flood Advisory in effect from September 15, 09:22 PM MDT until September 16, 09:15 AM MDT

ICYMI: Coal Creek Canyon Fire 9/15 Evening Update

Post by Coal Creek Canyon Fire Department.

Monday Morning (9/16) Road Closures

There are no new updates to the road closures around the #JeffcoFlood area.

Highway 72 remains closed from Blue Mountain Drive to Pincliffe.

Twin Spruce Gap Road (access to 119) remains open. (See www.coalcreekfirefd.org/blog)

Golden Gate Canyon remains closed from highway 93 to Robinson Hill.

Evergreen (74 and 73) remains open.

Upper Bear Creek remains closed.

Beaver Brook Canyon road remains impassable.  Watch http://www.co.clear-creek.co.us/Alertcenter.aspx for updates.

Watch for closures in and around Indiana between 120th and 72nd.

We will update our google map when we receive definitive word that any of these closure have been lifted.  Please continue to exercise care as you drive in the affected areas.



View #JeffCoFlood Jefferson County Flood Information in a larger map

Bear Creek Picture: Rising and Flowing Fast - Be Prepared

This photo was taken at Cold Springs Gulch Road which is just east of Kittredge on Highway 74.  It was shot at 7:25 PM this evening (9/15) The picture shows the severity of the current conditions.  The river is flowing swift and high and more rain is coming.  Please plan ahead and be prepared should conditions further develop.