Emergency Information and
Preparedness
2006 Citywide
Flood Exercise
Overview
On April 18, Boulder County and the City of Boulder
conducted the annual flood exercise in conjunction with
Colorado's statewide Flood Awareness Day. This
year’s exercise focused on a “Big Thompson” scale flash flood
event in Boulder Creek – a large-scale flood that would fill the
immediate vicinity of the creek with water over eight feet deep and
inundate much of downtown Boulder in two to four feet of water.
 EOC
Representatives from various emergency and governmental agencies
participated in a simulation to examine how they would respond
to an event of this magnitude and assess what their needs would be.
This type of flash flood is up to four times larger than a 100-year
flood event, but it is not improbable. The 1976 Big Thompson flash
flood, which occurred above the town of Loveland, caused as many as
145 deaths and inflicted more than $40 million worth of damage.
The community-wide effort was designed to:
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Raise awareness of flash flood concerns
throughout Boulder County.
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Raise awareness of personal responsibility to
respond to a flood or other emergency event.
-
Practice and evaluate public notification systems
including warning sirens, emergency alert system, NOAA
all-hazard radio warning, emergency warning evacuation system
(reverse phone call back), cable access television and other
message delivery systems.
-
Assess and practice evacuation and response plans
in the event of a flash flood.
-
Assess and practice communication and
coordination channels of emergency response personnel, the
public and other affected individuals and organizations.
The flash flood season typically occurs from April
through September. On the first Monday of the month from May
through August, the outdoor warning sirens and other systems will be
tested at 10:00 a.m.
See how you
can participate.
City of Boulder
As part of the
effort, city department heads evacuated various city of Boulder
offices on Tuesday, April 18 in concert with the citywide flood
drill and statewide Flood Awareness Day.
In years past, the
city has participated in an annual drill, evacuating our buildings
to areas within the municipal campus. This year, city staff evacuated to a point outside the Big Thompson floodplain and took added steps to more carefully execute, review and update our
evacuation plans.
Boulder County
As part of Boulder County's
vision for the safety of its residents and employees, the County is
committed to creating a strong and dependable level of emergency
preparedness for all possible hazards.
The County
Commissioners view the flood exercise as the launching point of what will be a
long-term, in-depth, continuous process of emergency assessment, preparation
and practice.
The April 18
exercise provides a timely tool for department heads, elected
officials and staff to examine Boulder County’s emergency procedures
and explore the needs and unknowns that may arise in the event of a
flood or major emergency. The event has raised important
questions that will need to be answered and issues that will need to
be addressed. It has also helped to identify areas
that require additional consideration, development and/or
improvement.
A number of County
staff were deeply involved in the flood exercise, including
participation in Emergency Operation Center simulations and
long-term recovery discussions.
In addition, the
Commissioners directed all departments to participate in the
flood exercise either in the weeks prior to or on the day of the
event.
Provide feedback on how things went during the exercise.
How can I participate?
Fire, law enforcement,
emergency and governmental agencies are trained to respond to
emergencies like fires, floods and man-made disasters, but it is
beyond their scope to be responsible for the safety of every single
individual in Boulder County. Ultimately, you are responsible for
your personal safety and the safety of your family. You also play a
key role in the safety of your community, by helping ensure the
well-being of your neighbors, fellow residents and/or coworkers.
Every resident has a
role to play in emergency readiness because when you are ready,
Boulder County is ready. Do your part today by resolving to make a
preparedness plan. Discuss it with your family and coworkers. Decide
upon how you will contact each other in an emergency and where you
will go/meet. Prepare an emergency kit that can last you and your
loved ones for at least 72 hours. And educate yourself about the
safest way to react in the event of different disasters, such as
floods, tornadoes, blizzards, or wildfires.
Find more information
about making a plan or emergency response at these sites:
ReadyColorado.Com
BoulderFloodInfo.net
Boulder
County Emergency Operation Plan
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