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. walls, and by a deposit of sediment inside. Erosion caused consider- able damage to U.S, Highway 34. The worst damage occurred on the outside of small-radius curves. Automobiles parked on rDad sections that were straight or elevated above the flood often escaped damage, however, as the road was not washed away. (3) The effect of the flash flDOd was minimal beyond Loveland. Damages were estimated at over $35,000,000, most of which were to highways or private buildings. A county survey indicated that 252 structures were damaged more than 50 percent. Many reports state that there was an approximate 45-minute warning to residents; other reports state that some people received no warning. The tragedy lies in the fact that many warnings were not heeded. Many peDple decided to remain in what seemed to be a secure situation rather than venture out in a dark, roaring storm, Dr they decided to stay where they were because they saw no rain. A total of 139 bDdies were recovered and 6 have been declared missing. FLOOD CHARACTERISTICS HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS Storm Types. Three general types of storms occur in this region. Most severe storms usually occur during the spring and summer with May and June having the greatest frequency of Dccurrence. Eighty percent or more of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season from March through September. . Most of the major storms have been caused by a pressure system which involves a high pressure area to the north of the region and a low pressure area to the south. As a result, a moist air mass from the Gulf of Mexico is carried westward across the basin and into the eastward face of the Front Ranges. Heavy precipitation results over the mountains from the moist air being lifted up the mountain slopes. 25