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<br />INTRO))UCTlION <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />On the night of July 12, 1996, a thunderstorm OCCUlTed in the area of the community of Buffalo <br />Creek, Colorado. The storm produced heavy rainfall and hail over a shOlt period of time. Major <br />flood flows occurred along Sand Draw, Buffalo Creek, the North Fork of the South Platte River <br />(North Fork) below its confluence with Buffalo Creek, and several other tributary streams in the <br />area Two lives were lost as a direct result of we flooding. Roads, bridges, water lines, and other <br />utility lines were damaged or destroyed. Numerous homes, outbuildings, and vehicles were <br />damaged or destroyed as well. A large quantity of sediment and debris was carried from the <br />watershed and deposited along the affected stream reaches. Although the geographic area affected <br />was smaller than in some other floods, the Buffalo Creek flood event was truly a disa,ter. Given <br />the magnitude and quick rush of the flood flows, it is nothing short of a miracle that more people <br />weren't killed or injured. <br /> <br />Post-Flood Coordination <br /> <br />Many entities are participating in post-flood activities in som(~ capacity. These entities include, but <br />are not limited to, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Weather Service, U.S. Forest Service, <br />Federal Emergency Management Agency, Natunll Resource Conservation Service, Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board, Colorado Geological Survey, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, <br />Colorado Office of Emergency Management, Colorado State Forest Service, Jefferson County, the <br />Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, the Denver Water Board, private meteorologists and <br />engineering consultants, and private utility companies. <br /> <br />Information within this report has been compiled from some of the above sources and from <br />newspaper articles and conversations with local iesidents. This report is intended to be preliminary <br />in nature. The information provided herein will be updated as more detailed and accurate <br />information becomes available. <br /> <br />Purpose Of This Report <br /> <br />The purpose ohhis report is to document the flooding of J Illy 12, 1996 in a preliminary sense. The <br />documentation will provide area residents, others affected by the flooding, and agencies and entities <br />involved in post -flood study and mitigation with bas ic information about the flooding and its <br />impacts. In addition, the report will contribl1te to preliminary decisions about recovery and <br />mitigation. <br />