FLOOD07416

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: A Review of the 1997 Colorado Flood Disaster
• Date: 1/1/1998
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: Colorado Office of Emergency Management
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Documentation Report

LESSONS of RECOVERY' A REViEW of TItE 1997 COLORAdo Flood Dis"STER

State Recovery Programs and Activities

~"~~"-~~~=""'==~/<<<-~ -~ - ~ -~ ~ ~ '~-",",,~"-~-~1T'7-~-- ,,_._~=~-,-,_.~-~~~~~---_.....::::;~~~

The State of Colorado contributed to flood relief efforts in a variety of ways, including direct financial
assistance (more than $7 million), the establishment of disaster recovery centers, and the administration
of important disaster assistance programs designed to directly assist individual victims and to help local
governments restore public infrastructure and prevent future losses.

State Disaster Emergency Fund I

As of the anniversary date of the flood, $7,190,000 had been expended from the State Disaster
Emergency Fund to assist victims of the 1997 flood, Of this amount, five million dollars was provided to
Colorado State University to expedite recovery efforts and to help university officials resume most
campus operations in time for the 1997 fall semester. Another $1.5 million from the fund was transferred to the
Department of Local Affairs to fund part of the State's share of FEMA's Public Assistance Program. The State
spent another $686,000 to fund the non-federal (25%) match of FEMA's Individual and Family Grant Program.

State Recovery Resources

I

The table below summarizes the different programs and activities that were provided or coordinated at the
state government level to assist local recovery efforts following the 1997 floods,

I
,

Department/Agency Division/Office Programs and Services Provided
Governor's Office Declares state disaster and requests federal assistance; authorizes
expenditures from disaster fund to fund state recovery costs and to
address unmet local needs.
Higher Education Colorado State Coordinates financial and physical recovery efforts at CSU campus in
University Fort Collins, including implementation of hazard mitigation measures,
Provides staff support to state planning and reporting functions at
Colorado State Disaster Field Office; conducts field reconnaissance of damaged areas
Forest Service and provides inspectors with area maps.
Human Services Division Individual and Family Grant Program
Mental Health Administers the Regular Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training
Services Program -- known as Project Rebound in Larimer County - in
coordination with local mental health services providers (services
include outreach, individual and group crisis counseling, education, and
referrals).
Consumer Consumer relations staff provides information to disaster victims on
Advocate avoiding home repair fraud or other scams; consults with Better
" Business Bureau to help determine qualifications and standing of
construction contractors,

CoLoRl>do OffiCE of EMERGENcy MU"GEMENT

19