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I HO~ T~USE_TH~S Flood Re~"p_o~se ~~~.n --- .J This flood response plan was designed to be a complete but compact decision-aid to assist county decision-makers in making evacuation decisions for flooding events along and in the floodplain of the Arkansas River as it moves through Otero County. It contains six aids to assist in monitoring river stage heights and decision-making_ 1. A map of the Arkansas River floodplain, major cities and highways in Otero County (Figure 1). 2. A communication flow chart of emergency response and county, state and federal agencies involved in flood response activities (Figure 2) and a table containing current telephone numbers and radio frequencies used by each agency (Table 1). 3. A map plot of the locations of Otero County River Watcher stage gauges (Figure 3) to assist in plotting the current river stage values relative t~ the potential flooding expected in North La Junta and La Junta's floodplains. 4. A plotting chart (Table 2) to assist in keeping track of changing National Weather Service predictions of the flood stage at critical USGS GOES stage gauges and observations of Otero County River Watchers manual stage gauge and USGS stage gauges observations of flood stage heights and changes relative to the floodplains in North La Junta and La Junta. 5. A total river depth diagram (Figure 4) based on the Corps of Engineers, 1993 report to assist in understanding the relationship of stage height values both observed and predicted and floodplain inundation. 6. An Appendix of historical stage height values and peak river discharges associated with historical Arkansas River flooding events. The flood response plan is keyed on both the issuance of (flash) flood watches and warnings by the National Weather Service (NWS) and observations of the nver stage height in case watches and warnings have not been issued. ISla eC-- -- . . . u=-' - -, 9,. I _ _" .._ _ , . Is the first level of readiness and is declared by eIther the La Junta Fire Chief or the Otero County Emergency Manager upon the issuance of a Flood Watch for the Arkansas River, any of its upstream tributaries as identified on the S[dg~ 'f J'ap@ or the observation of specified river stage heights. A NWS Flood Watch implies the potential exists for flooding to occur along the Arkansas River. As such, It implies the County assumes a vigilant level of river observation, review of the flood response plan and staffing patterns of affected response agencies and the capability/supplies within the county to respond for the period of the watch. ~~ Is the second level of readmess and is declared by either the La Junta Fire Chief or the Otero County Emergency Manager upon the issuance of a Flood Wamino for the Arkansas River, any of its upstream tributaries as identified on the Stage 2 page or the observation of specified river stage heights which indicate a pen'ad of 12 houf'5 or more before the flood crest is expected to reach the North La JuntalLa Junta floodplam areas. A NVVS Flood Warning Implies that flooding is occurring along the Arkansas River and that Arkansas River floodplain areas will face an imminent flooding threat, The EOC Head (La Junta Fire Chief) should actIVate the County Emergency Operations Center in the Fire Station Truck room and insure notification of key county and city personnel of the immment threat. Members of the EOC should intenSify monitoring river stages and planning their response to the flood [Stag-....a: ').~.'.~..;;..~' '~I~', ':.:l,te'::'.~ ':; .; J:"' .'';^ ~ .. -.':' .'.f... ~." '. :;.;< '--:'<.:"- ~~.::'~1 ' ,"". -,.".--".._''""---",-',,-"..~-j,.'',__,, --- Is the highest level of readiness and is declared by either the La Junta Fire Chief or the Otero County Emergency Manager upon the issuance of a Flood .Warnina f~r, the. Arkansas River as identified on the Stage 3 page or the observation of speCified fiver stage heights which indicate a period of 12 hours or less before the flood crest is expected to reach the North La Junta/La Junta floodplain areas. A NWS Flood Warning implies that flooding is occurring along the Arkansas River and that Arkansas River floodplain areas will face an imminent flooding threat. The EOC Head (La Junta Fire Chief) should activate the County Emergency Operations Center in the Fire Station Truck Room, if activation has not occurred earlier, and insure notification of key county and city personnel of the imminent threat. Members of the EOC should intensify monitoring river stages and planning their response to the flood. Evacuation of North La Junta and La Junta floodplains should be enacted to insure the maximum protection of life and property within the expected river response time. ..,.Q. 3