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2013 Flood Update and Recognition
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Summary and Background Information:
Colorado experienced unprecedented rainfall starting on September 10, 2013 that resulted in devastating flooding. The Commerce City area received as much as 10 inches of rain, and a typical September annual average rainfall for Metro Denver is 1.3”. Significant rainfall came from upstream, in addition to the rain falling in the City. Runoff from Aurora drained to Sand Creek and from Denver into Commerce City and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. It was later reported that the storm event was considered a one-thousand (1,000) year event, or a 0.1% chance of happening in any given year.
Emergency response to the flooding began the night of September 11 and continued through the morning of September 16, 2013. The City coordinated emergency response with multiple partners (internal and external).
· No loss of life of injuries
· No significant structural damage
· Significant damage to trail facilities
· Consistent communication with community and other audiences
The agency partners and staff that assisted during the flood event will be recognized at the City Council meeting on November 18, 2013.
During the event, all City Departments participated in the management of the emergency. Some of the major operational components included coordination, road closures, evacuations, and emergency shelter.
Coordination
• Emergency Operations Center (activated evening of 9/11)
• South Adams County Fire, Northglenn Ambulance, emergency response teams from Arapahoe and Douglas counties, and numerous others.
• Emergency Declaration (9/12, 1:21 p.m.)
• Closed city buildings
Road Closures
• More than a dozen, including major roads such as US Hwy 85, Hwy 2, E. 96th Avenue and E. 88th Avenue
Evacuations
• Three areas:
§ Fairfax Park / Shady Lanes
§ Mile High Greyhound Park
§ Irondale
• Humans and large animals
• Door-to-door notification
• Reverse 911 (FirstCall) notificati...
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