Gov. John Hickenlooper and various Cabinet members visited flooded communities today in Boulder, Larimer and Adams counties. State agencies are mobilized to provide direct assistance for rescue and recovery, infrastructure, safety and ongoing efforts such as insurance and information regarding state lands and services in the affected areas. State agency assistance includes: Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management The State Emergency Operations Center is managed and coordinated by the Office of Emergency Management with staffing from the Office of Preparedness and Office of Prevention and Security. The State EOC is currently running 24/7 operations at a Level I staffing. The Office of Emergency Management is providing two Regional Field Managers at each several of the local Emergency Operations Centers. The state pushes out updates on an emergency blog at coemergency, at @COEmergency on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook/COEmergency. Preparedness information is shared at READYColorado, at @READYColorado on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook/READYColorado. Division wide information is shared at DHSEM.state.co.us. Colorado Department of Transportation CDOT has highway closures continuing in areas of Denver, portions of northern Colorado and points west of the Front Range due to flooding, and rock and mudslides. Due to the amount of saturation and possible unstable conditions of state highways, CDOT advises motorists to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary in Boulder, Larimer, Weld, Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Crews will continue to work through the weekend to assess road and bridge conditions, begin clean-up and repairs where possible. For more information, visit cotrip.org, coloradodot.info, on Facebook at facebook/coloradodot, or call 511 and download CDOT Mobile. Colorado State Patrol CSP is working with other law enforcement officials and CDOT in Jefferson, Boulder, Larimer, El Paso and Weld counties. The primary functions are to provide manpower for roadblocks or checkpoints and to assist with search and rescue missions when required. CSP will continue to assist motorists with the navigation of these flood damaged areas by providing information via social media and mainstream media resources. CSP continues to play a significant role in the state Emergency Operations Center and will have representation in the local/county Incident Command Posts for assistance in planning and deployment of CSP resources. Follow on facebook at facebook/ColoradoStatePatrol, at @CSP_News on Twitter or contact [email protected] for more information. Colorado Department of Natural Resources Major Front Range dams, including those associated with Denver and Boulder, are performing well. Some small dams associated with fishing and stock ponds are overtopping or failing. Many dams will continue to use their spillways to keep reservoir volumes within limits. State engineers are visiting many dams to evaluate vulnerabilities. Though access to many sites is limited, state engineers are in continuous contact with dam owners and others in proximity to dams. State dam officials are also in continuous contact with state and local emergency managers to ensure the affected public is made aware of conditions that may result in localized flooding and need for evacuation. For more information, contact [email protected] Colorado Parks and Wildlife Eldorado Canyon and St. Vrain State Parks, as well as the Watson State Fish Hatchery, are closed and have been significantly impacted. The extent of the damage will be determined when water levels drop. Lory, Castlewood Canyon, Golden Gate, Cherry Creek and Cheyenne Mountain State Park are reporting high water but lesser damage to trails, roads and facilities. Many CPW officers are working to assist the Colorado State Patrol and local jurisdictions in swift water rescue, traffic control and evacuated area security. The agency is advising anglers and hunters to use extreme caution and avoid high and fast water areas. For more information, go to cpw.state.co.us, @COParksWildlife on Twitter or Facebook at facebook/ColoradoParksandWildlife. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment The department advises people to avoid contact with flooded rivers and streams. They may be contaminated with raw or partially treated sewage. People who come in contact with potentially contaminated flood waters or are involved in debris clean up should wash their hands frequently with soap and clean warm water. Anyone exposed to flood water who has open wounds or begins to feel ill with diarrhea or vomiting, should contact a physician and ask about receiving a tetanus/diphtheria shot. The department’s Water Quality Control Division continues to work closely with water and sewage system operators in all communities impacted by flooding. The city of Lyons is the only community water system on a “boil water” order at this time. For information about flooding and drinking water quality in your community, the public should pay attention to local officials who have the most current information. Follow the department at @CDPHE on Twitter or facebook/CDPHE or contact [email protected] for more information. Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Insurance The Colorado Division of Insurance reminds consumers that insurance specialists are available to answer their questions. Claims need to be filed with the insurance company, but the Division can assist consumers with questions about insurance and help guide them through the process. Impacted residents can call the Division of Insurance at 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745 (outside Denver area). Find more information at Division’s media release and follow at @DORAColorado or https://facebook/pages/Colorado-Department-of-Regulatory-Agencies/235925476427086. Colorado Department of Human Services Department offices in Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties and Arapahoe County Centre Point are closed today. County Liaisons are in regular contact with these counties to ensure support for any needed resources. Hundreds of child care facilities are closed, many are without water and electricity; however for those remaining open, waivers are being granted when necessary to ensure continued operation while still maintaining the safety of children. CDHS offices of Vocational Rehabilitation in Longmont and Fort Collins are closed today due to flooding and road conditions. All other CDHS facilities are open and operating, managing minor water damage. Fore more information go to colorado.gov/CDHS or facebook/pages/Colorado-Department-of-Human-Services/100791360004450, or at @CO_CDHS on Twitter. Colorado Tourism Office CTO is providing flood resource information on the Contact Us page of Colorado. Visitors can access flood-related resource links at colorado/contact-us/prescreen. Since the start of the flooding, CTO has been in close contact with the local areas impacted by the flooding and are receiving regular updates from Convention and Visitor Bureau centers. Colorado Department of Corrections The Department’s State Wildland Inmate Fire Team crews from Canon City, Rifle and Buena Vista are activated in response to a request from the State Office of Emergency Management to assist with flood prevention work in Boulder County and Fort Collins. Fifty offenders are being deployed as part of these crews. Due to water damage, visitation at the Colorado Correctional Center (Camp George West) and Denver Women’s Apartment Program has been cancelled through the weekend. For more information, DOC.State.co.us, facebook/ColoradoDOC or at @Colorado_DOC on Twitter. Colorado Department of Revenue The department has several service centers currently closed, but is still receiving information.The closures include the Drivers License Offices located in Aurora, Denver NE, Boulder, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland; County Motor Vehicle offices located in Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson (Evergreen office); Air Care Stations located in Arvada, Boulder, Dacono, Golden, Ken Caryl, Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins; the Fort Collins Taxpayer Service Center, located at 3030 S. College Ave. For more information, contact [email protected]. History Colorado/State Historic Preservation Office The museum can be contacted for questions regarding flood damage to historic properties and personal items such as photographs and documents. Contact [email protected]. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office The office is taking complaints regarding fraudulent charities and home repair scams. Consumers can call 1-800-222-4444 or click coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/complaint to file a complaint.
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 20:55:07 +0000
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