FLOOD01863

• County: Morgan
• County: Logan
• County: Sedgwick
• Community: Northeastern Colorado
• Stream Name: South Platte River
• Title: Report on the Floods of June 1965
• Date: 1/1/1967
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: US Army Corps of Engineers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Documentation Report

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heavy rainfall and stream overflow began in the northern portions of
the basin. The information on prevailing conditions was transmitted
by telephone to the District Engine~r a.t ~aha,.Nebraska. The District
Engineer transmitted periodic flood-situation, reports to the Chief
of Engineers in Washington, D. C., and the D~vision Engineer, Missouri
River Division.

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c,' On the afternoon of 16 June, on the 'basis of reports of heavy
rainfall in the Plum Creek basin, the'District Engineer mobilized flood
emergency teams. An advance support party arrived in Denver 'by first
available air transportation at 4':30 p.m. on '17 June. Initial activities
of the advance party included air and surface reconnaissance of flooded
areas, preparation of damage estimates, exchange of information with
State officials and officials of 'the Office of Emergency Planning,
and organizing for emergency operations. Shortly thereafter, the Omaha
District Engineer and additional engineering 'personnelarrived in
Denver. , Meetings were held with the Governor of Color,,:do and .officials
of the Office of 'Emergency Planning. The flooded'areas were declared
a major disaster area by the President of the United States under the
authority provided by Public Law 81-875. Meanwhile, the Governor of
Colora.doand thebffice of Emergency Planning had established a
concerted plan of action to preserve ,public health and safety,.to ,
restoreesseritial public facilities, and 'to initiate disaster recovery
operations. All availablefac'ilities ,of the Federal, State; county,
and local governments' were mobilized to provide immediate relief and
assistance, and to promote recovery of the flood-damaged areas. The
Office of Emergency Planning requested the, Corps of Engineers'to
assembie cost estimates of 'flood-fighting operations, removal of
debris from public property, restoration of essential water supply
and sanitary facilities, and the cost,of sanitary measures necessary
for prevention of epidemics and preservation 'of public health.

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d. Under the authority of Public Law 99, the Corps of Engineers
also undertook reconnaissance of the' flood threat to downstream areas
and began collection of hydrologic and' flood damage data. The Corps
of Engineers also advised local communities on emergency measures to
avert further damages from'continuing high stream stages. Subsequently,
the Corps of'Engineers contracted for removal or the large volUme'
of flood-borne debris which had been deposited in Cherry Creek Reservoir,
and provided inspection services for recovery operations authOrized
by the Office of Emergency Planning for restoration of essentia.l
public facilities. , Thirty-five engineers and engineering technicians
from the Corps of Engineers, Omaha District office, were engaged in the
field in disaster~relief activities and collection of flood data.
Twenty additional persons provided supporting services. The expendi-
tures incurred by the Omaha District are summarized in table 4.
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