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<br />LESSONS of RECOVERY - A REViEW of TltE 1997 COlORAdo Flood DisASTER <br /> <br />Morgan County , <br /> <br />Response <br /> <br />During the evening of July 29-30, 1997, slow-moving thunderstorms dumped heavy rainfall over the <br />Schaefer Draw Basin and adjacent tributaries in Morgan County, flooding the unincorporated Town of <br />Weldona and causing flood damages to roads, crops and isolated residences in other parts of the <br />county. Breaches in irrigation facilities owned by the Weldon Valley Ditch Company and Riverside Irrigation <br />District contributed to flood flows in Weldona, resulting in an overnight evacuation of the town of approximately <br />150 people. <br /> <br />According to the National Weather Service, up to 10.5 inches of rain fell over the Schaefer Draw watershed <br />during a 15-hour period on the evening of July 29-30. The seriousness of the situation became apparent <br />shortly after midnight, when floodwaters in Weldona reached the four-foot level and local rescuers began <br />plucking residents from porches and rooftops. Under the direction of the Morgan County Emergency <br />Management Director, who served as Incident Commander during response operations and later managed <br />county recovery efforts, additional resources were called in to support rescuers from the Morgan County <br />Sheriff's Department, Morgan County Public Works and Wiggins Fire Department. <br /> <br />School buses were used to transport evacuees to the Wiggins School, where the Morgan County Chapter of <br />the American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter. The overnight evacuation took place in a driving rain <br />as floating propane tanks and other hazards hampered rescue efforts. By mid-morning, the Colorado Army <br />National Guard arrived with helicopters and humvees to assist local agencies with enforcement of the mand- <br />atory evacuation that had been ordered by the Incident Commander for health and safety reasons. Members of <br />the National Humane Society arrived at noon to assist with the care of pets and animals in Weldona. More <br />than 30 cats were rescued from the home of one resident. The Civil Air Patrol and Colorado State Patrol <br />also provided air support to survey damages and to assess conditions at local canals, levees and reservoirs. <br /> <br />Recovery <br /> <br />Damage assessment activities in Weldona and at other impacted areas in the county were coordinated by <br />the Morgan County Assessor's Office, with support provided by the Colorado Chapter of the <br />International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO). The Northeast Colorado Health Department <br />provided advice to local officials concerning health hazards and began providing free tetanus shots and well- <br />testing services. The mandatory evacuation was in effect for 24 hours, during which time County <br />Commissioners formally declared the county a disaster area and began to prepare for the arrival of FEMA <br />damage assessment officials. <br /> <br />In the immediate recovery phase, volunteer organizations, churches and businesses stepped in to help <br />Weldona residents muck out and begin to repair flood-damaged homes and businesses. American Eagle <br />(Anheuser Bush) and Culligan Water provided drinking water and local Salvation Army and American Red <br />Cross volunteers provided food, clothing, cleaning supplies and other personal care items. The Fort Morgan <br />Chamber of Commerce donated food and catering services and helped pay for the removal of trash and flood <br />debris. Three days after the flood, Excel Corporation sponsored a barbecue dinner for the community. Caring <br />Ministries took the lead in managing donated goods and funds and provided ongoing liaison with local <br />volunteer agencies to help address unmet victim needs. <br /> <br />Colo.....do OffiCE of EMERGENcy MANAGEMENT <br /> <br />14 <br />