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Governor Polis Commits State Support and Resources for Southwestern Colorado Flood Response

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DENVER — Governor Jared Polis and state agencies are working alongside local officials, Tribal partners, and community organizations to help Coloradans affected by devastating flooding in Southwest Colorado. Since the Governor's October 22 disaster emergency declaration, Colorado has mobilized nearly 100 National Guard members, deployed emergency management teams, delivered food, water, and supplies, and begun repairing damaged highways to protect residents and restore access to communities.

"For Coloradans facing damage to a home or business, or being cut off from loved ones and basic resources by washed-out roads, this is a frightening and difficult time. The State and our local partners have deployed rescue teams, supplies, personnel, and funding to help the community respond and get people to safety. I am grateful to the first responders, emergency managers, road crews, volunteers, and neighbors stepping up to help Southwestern Colorado through this disaster. Colorado is with you, and I am committed to helping these communities rebuild and quickly recover. I urge all Coloradans to put your and your families safety first and always follow local emergency and evacuation notices," said Governor Polis.

Governor Polis declared a disaster emergency on October 22, which includes: La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, Dolores, Hinsdale, San Miguel, Ouray, San Juan, Mineral, Alamosa, and Rio Grande Counties. He amended the declaration on October 23 to include Conejos County. The declaration activated the State Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), authorized state resources and emergency purchasing, and authorized Colorado National Guard support for flood response, evacuations, and search and rescue operations.

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is currently operating at Level 1, coordinating state resources to support affected communities. The State Recovery Task Force is also activated to help coordinate recovery needs. Nearly 140 resource requests have been processed by the SEOC in support of the impacted communities.

Supporting rescues and local emergency response

Nearly 100 Colorado National Guard (CONG) members are supporting the response with aviation and ground resources, including a hoist-equipped UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, an LUH-72 Lakota, and 30 tactical vehicles. The CONG and Colorado Search and Rescue Association are supporting local sheriffs with search and rescue missions and reconnaissance flights and, as of October 27, have rescued 33 citizens and over 15 pets.

The Colorado Office of Emergency Management deployed nearly 50 people to staff two incident management teams (IMTs) in support of local emergency management and sheriffs, in addition to ten state field operations staff. The IMTs are supporting Archuleta, Conejos, Rio Grande and Mineral counties.

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The American Red Cross is operating shelters in Archuleta and Rio Grande counties, and the Salvation Army is providing meals at the Rio Grande shelter location. Through 211 Colorado, eligible residents under mandatory evacuation can connect with temporary lodging assistance offering up to 28 nights of free lodging. As of October 27, 49 households have received temporary housing, assisting 119 community members and 56 pets and service animals.

Repairing roads and restoring access

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crews, engineers, and contractors are working around the clock to assess damage, stabilize highways and restore safe access. Crews have reopened US 550 over Red Mountain Pass and US 160 west of Pagosa Springs to alternating traffic. Wolf Creek Pass was opened Tuesday evening, with alternating traffic, and the bridge over HWY 160 near the four-corners area has been reopened. CDOT and Contractors started working on temporary repairs for an access road for residents and emergency responders along damaged CO 151 between milemarker 27 and 30 on October 26, with permanent work to follow.

On October 26, the Transportation Commission approved $5 million in state contingency funds to support the initial response. Colorado has made a request for federal highway emergency relief, including $6.5 million in immediate funding to accelerate repairs before winter. Preliminary estimates identify approximately $65 million in damage to federal-aid roadways. That estimate may change as water levels fall and crews can fully inspect bridges and other structures.

Assessing damage and supporting recovery

State and local officials are documenting damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure to identify recovery needs and support requests for federal assistance. The State is coordinating damage assessments with FEMA personnel and local governments to assess damage impacts and assistance needs. FEMA is reviewing preliminary damage assessment information at the State Emergency Operations Center and on site with state and local partners. The Division of Fire Prevention and Control Multi-Mission Aircraft assisted by providing imagery from flights over the impacted areas. 4

Residents are encouraged to report property damage through county damage-reporting forms. These reports help officials document the disaster's impacts. Submitting a damage report is not an application or award for financial assistance.

Colorado's emergency preparedness investments and emergency authorities allowed the state to rapidly deploy state resources including the National Guard search-and-rescue teams and aviation assets when the Governor issued his disaster declaration. Colorado is actively working on joint damage assessments with FEMA. The completion of these assessments will determine the timing of any request for a Major Disaster Declaration declared by the President, which would reimburse costs for immediate life safety and debris-clearing efforts, and permanent infrastructure repairs, and potentially provide individual assistance to those impacted by the flood event.

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Southwestern Colorado is expecting another storm - how to stay prepared

The state is currently tracking another significant storm that is likely to bring rain and mountain snow to Southwestern Colorado beginning Friday, with the heaviest precipitation of 1-3 inches currently expected Sunday into Monday. With already saturated ground, Coloradans should prepare now, monitor updated forecasts, and follow all local emergency instructions.

Impacted areas of this weekend's severe storms showing Southern Colorado covered (Source: NWS)

"Coloradans are encouraged to stay safe and follow local evacuation orders, public health notices, respect road closures, and avoid floodwaters," said Governor Polis. "Please, do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters - turn around, don't drown! Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult over, and one foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away."

Residents of Southern Colorado can take the following steps to prepare for impacts from the upcoming storm:
  • Sign up for emergency alerts: Sign up now for county emergency notification, follow local emergency management and sheriff's office updates, and monitor the National Weather Service for forecasts and warnings. Keep phones charged and have a battery-powered radio available.
  • Make an evacuation plan: Identify a safe place to stay, check routes for closures, and arrange transportation before conditions worsen. Plan for children, older adults, people with disabilities, pets, and livestock. The National Weather Service's Before a Flood preparedness guide explains evacuation planning.
  • Avoid flooded roads and damaged areas: Never walk or drive through floodwaters, debris, or around barricades. Check COtrip.org before traveling to ensure your route is clear from hazards or closures, and return to evacuated areas only when local officials say it is safe.
  • Learn how to be flood ready and stay safe during a flood: Find tips for staying safe during floods and what to do when you are under a flood warning at Ready.gov/floods.
  • Pack or replenish an emergency kit: Include drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, warm clothing, and copies of important documents (i.e. social security cards, birth certificates, etc.). The American Red Cross flood safety guide includes supply recommendations and downloadable checklists.
  • Prepare for pets: Identify a safe destination that can accommodate animals and pack food, water, medications, leashes, carries, and veterinary records. Use the CDC's printable pet disaster preparedness checklist.
  • Prepare livestock: Arrange transportation and a safe destination with neighbors and other producers before conditions worsen. For livestock, generally a pre-evacuation notice means it's time to move animals. CSU Extension is operating a large animal shelter at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds with state support. Please call 970-264-5931 and proceed to the east side of the fairgrounds on arrival. CSU, DHSEM, and FFA have also developed a sheltering plan for the San Luis Valley if needed. Pack animal feed, water, medications and identification records. Review the "Floods and Your Livestock" and "Floods and Your Farm" preparedness guides.

Resources for affected Coloradans Assistance, shelter and temporary lodging information: Call 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit 211 Colorado's disaster response page. Road conditions and closures: Visit COtrip.org or use the COtrip Planner app. Volunteer cleanup assistance: Call Crisis Cleanup at 970-283-7325 to request free volunteer help. Local updates, damage-reporting links and additional resources: Visit DHSEM's regularly updated State Emergency Operation Center Updates page. Immediate emergencies: Call 911.

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