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<br />EXECUTIVE SUMMAR~ <br /> <br />In the Spring of 1984, severe and extensive snowmelt runoff over <br />a short duration caused widespread flood and landslide damage on <br />the Western Slope, impacting population areas, causing damages to <br />roads and bridges, agricultural lands, and public facilities. <br />Damages from the flooding totaled over $29 million. On July 27, <br />1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a major disaster declaration <br />for Colorado. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />During the preceding year, heavy winter snowpack and rain along the <br />Western Slope caused flooding and contributed to the subsequent <br />year's major events. During early May, temperatures in the 80's and <br />90's caused rapid snowmelt resulting in flooding along major <br />Western Slope streams. By July 4th, all flood warnings and watches <br />were withdrawn as weather conditions indicated a cooling trend <br />slowing stream flows. <br /> <br />Ten counties and the state of Colorado were included in the initial <br />Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. Five additional counties <br />were added later following additional justification for their <br />eligibility. This declaration covered sixty six separate pOlitical <br />subdivisions (cities, towns, counties, and special districts) and <br />four state agencies. Federal-State inspectors completed 606 <br />individual damage survey reports throughout the disaster area. <br /> <br />Each of the fifteen counties included in the disaster declaration <br />presents a unique story in both disaster events and recovery <br />activities. Each of these is reviewed individually to detail <br />the types of impacts in each location, the recovery activities <br />completed and in progress, and the hazard mitigation planning <br />instigated during the 1984 disaster. With few exceptions, the <br />recovery effort has been effective at all levels and hazard <br />mi tigation planning has become instrumental in local and state <br />government recovery activities. <br /> <br />The total cost of the 1984 Western Slope Disaster will not be fully <br />realized for a long time. Indirect and direct costs are currently <br />estimated at $29 million for floods and landslides. The federal <br />government expended over $9 million compared to $2 million of state <br />dollars, a four to one ratio. Local governments spent over $3.5 <br />million in their recovery efforts, with private dollar damage <br />estimates at $14.5 million. <br /> <br />v <br />