FLOOD07982 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ I k t I ~ ming to go on emergency status to keep local residents advised of continuing developments and to discourage "sightseeing" attempts. As rescue crews forged their way into the west end of Big Thompson Canyon, the dramatic effects of the ca tastrophic flooding became realized. Heavy equipment from the State Department of Highways, Larimer County and the National Park Service was moved into the area to repair the road where possible and to assist in the removal of debris. Each mile deeper into the canyon the crews moved, the more unbelievable it seemed. A body was discovered partially buried under cluster of logs and debris, another was removed from nearly two feet of silt which accumulated in an overturned vehicle, another from the tangled limbs of a 'fallen tree...the grim list goes on and on. The riverbed was strewn with wreckage of cars, homes, and personal property, and although the river had receded, new problems arose from news that a ruptured line of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District was spewing raw sewage into the river. A by-pass repair was com- pleted late Sunday night. Countless persons who spent the night in the canyon remained isolated from the road that remained cut off by the still swollen river. Further down the canyon, "islands" of survivors were reported to be stranded on isolated stretches of road. surrounded by the turbulent waters. Gov. Lamm toured the canyon by helicopter, promp- ting his request for federal disaster aid. FACING PAGE: ~ portion of the waste treatment carrier pipe damaged In the flood was re.' paired quickly to prevent raw sewage from entering the stream. PHOTO RIGHT: Like quicksand. the riverbed swallowed cars and trucks. Along Devil's Gulch Road, crews labored all day to create a temporary roadway to enable motorized entry into the Glen Haven area. Mounted units were dispat- ched in several areas, as .\jwere mountain rescue groups.. to penetrate the most isolated regions. In Loveland, rescue efforts included the establishment of a medivac heliport to ac- commodate more than a dozen evacua tion helicopters provided through the Fort Carson Army Base and the Colorado Na lional Guard from Buckley Field in Denver. Helicopters were also in use from St. Anthony's Flight for Life, the Air Force, Red Cross and several private flyers. With an estimated 2,000 people stranded in the canyon Sunday, leaflets were dropped directing survivors to indicate their status by marking a large "A" for those in need of medical aid, "F" for food, "W" for water and "OK" for no im- mediate care. Two large chinook helicopters proved invaluable in the Glen Haven area in evacuating virtually all residents of the community by Sunday evening. Clearings were also established near Cedar Grove, Drake, Grandpa's Retreat and along the lower river. AI though hea vy cloud cover and near continuous rain in the Estes Park area Monday prevented further rescue at- tempts throughout most of the d~tY, two landings were made in Glen Haven late Monday evening to complete evacuation efforts in the community. On Monday. Sheriff Watson reported over 1,000 persons had been airlifted out of the devastated areas. Helicopter reconnaisance continued Tuesday, however, in search of bodies and additional ~.;,;; 7