Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Sunday May 2, 1999 and at Las Animas just before midnight on Sunday May 2, 1999. Water <br />levels along the Arkansas dropped below flood stage at all points in Pueblo County by May 3, <br />1999. In Otero and Crowley Counties, water levels remained above flood stage until late on May <br />4, 1999 or early on May 5, 1999. <br /> <br />The Purgatoire River came above flood stage on May 2, 1999. The floodwaters from the <br />Purgatoire damaged agricultural land and roads; however, major flooding problems associated <br />with the Purgatoire were not noted. Nevertheless, the floodwaters from the Purgatoire did <br />contribute to the problems downstream on the Arkansas. A flood crest moved down the <br />Purgatoire River reaching its confluence with the Arkansas and then John Martin Reservoir on <br />Monday morning May 3, 1999. Near the confluence of the Arkansas and the Purgatoire River, <br />agricultural flooding was extensive. The Purgatoire dropped below flood stage at all points by <br />May 5, 1999. New record reservoir elevations were set at both Trinidad Reservoir on the <br />Purgatoire and John Martin Reservoir on the Arkansas. <br /> <br />FLOOD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE <br /> <br />Flood Warning Systems <br /> <br />Reports and advisories issued by the National Weather Service were very effective in warning <br />the public about the flood. SignifIcant Weather Outlooks addressing the potential for heavy rain <br />in the Pikes Peak region and the Upper Arkansas River Basin were issued 12 hours in advance of <br />the heavy rain that began on the evening of April 28, 1999. Timely Urban and Small Stream <br />Flood Advisories were issued early on April 29, 1999 to address minor urban and small stream <br />flooding that was beginning to occur in EI Paso and Pueblo Counties. A Flash Flood Watch was <br />issued for EI Paso County on the afternoon of April 29, 1999 as it became clear that flash <br />flooding would be a strong possibility on the night of April 29, 1999. An additional Urban and <br />Small Stream Flood Advisory was issued early in the evening of April 29, 1999. Later in the <br />evening, around 9 PM, a Flash Flood Waming was issued for El Paso County as flooding <br />escalated to flash flood levels. <br /> <br />From that point on, either a Flash Flood Warning or a Flood Warning was in effect for the <br />remainder of the event. These warnings were updated on a regular basis with Flood Statements <br />that provided useful river stage and flood damage information. In addition, Flash Flood Watches <br />remained in effect for much of the event. This added heightened awareness to the situation even <br />though flash flooding was not necessarily occurring. According to the El Paso County <br />Emergency Manager, the event did not escalate to an emergency until around noon on April 30, <br />1999. At this point they opened the Emergency Operations Center. Based upon review of the <br />actions taken, and the fact that no known deaths or injuries occurred directly as a result of the <br />flood, we can safely conclude that the lead time, warnings, watches, advisories and statements <br />that were provided by the National Weather Service successfully preparl~d the public for the <br />flooding that occurred along Fountain Creek. <br /> <br />Post Flood Assessment Report <br /> <br />15 <br /> <br />Chapter 3 - Flood of April 29, 1999 <br />Dmft Revised 09/09/99 <br />