Sending positive energies to our friends in Colorado...

[Merlin the Elder]

When we came to Colorado for RenDezvous in 2011, we made some really nice friends. Nimue and I just wanted to let all you folks know that we're thinking of you, hoping that you are all safe.  I've seen some postings on the Book of Faces and here, and know some of you are still safe, but haven't heard from everyone. You don't all delve so much into the social media...

You might want to give us a shout out on this thread to let us know if you're okay, or if you need anything... any of the Colorado folks... (or if you've been in contact with others)

We're thinking of you! 

[Capt Spleen]

So you're the one responsible for all the  (+/-) positive energies today in Larkspur (Thunder rumblings for the past three hours but no rain yet )
And we've just had a flood warnings service announcement for the 5th time today... "keep from drowning" they say, and "move to higher ground".

We are "just right" here in Larkspur, (High  Ground) but our neighbors north of us - some are stuck until further notice, due to roads closed (washed out) near Wondervue, Lyons and Estes Park areas.

I am more concerned with lightning strikes without the rain at this point.

See you for  RenDezVous 2013, at KCRF, in October Merlin!

[Ian Maxwell]

I'm safe here in Boulder, it's been nasty but I had no real problems. A friend was airlifted out of Jamestown yesterday and the helicopters have been coming and going all day at the airport next door.

Ian

[RenStarr]

X2 on positive energies along with a few prayers for the good folks up in Co.  We were up that way this past June.  The area from Denver to Boulder to Lyons to Estes Park has been really hit hard.  We traveled that way and hate to hear about the property damage and even worse, some loss of life.   

[Norfolk]

Our humble abode sits atop the Palmer Divide -- the high ridge that one must cross in order to travel from Denver to Colorado Springs, or vice versa -- at over 7300 feet above mean sea level.  This means that we are occasionally pestered by snow in excess of 4 feet, but flooding is not an issue. 

Unfortunately, people downhill from us on both sides of the divide have been devastated by the flooding, and the rain keeps coming down.  Thank you all for keeping them in your thoughts.

[Rani Zemirah]

We are thinking about you all, as well... and praying for the flooding to stop! 

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Hope all is well. We travel that area when we go to Colorado ( almost every year)

[Merlin the Elder]

Glad to hear from you folks... Delany and Tom, and Kristina have had posts on the Book of Faces, so I know they are okay...for the moment anyway.  Stay safe...  Haven't heard anything from Wheatie.

[Rani Zemirah]

The photos of the devastation are... heartbreaking.  All of the places I know so well... and consider to be home... are being changed so drastically by the flooding that some of them are unrecognizable, now.  I know they will rebuild... but it feels like parts of my history are being washed away.  I can't even imagine what it must be like for everyone who is there, now. 

Still praying for all of you... and sending so much love. 

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Zoe lives in Estes and Estes is cut off for the most part. They just got Comcast and cell service back in Estes but the roads out are Peak to Peak (for Delivery in and residence to escape, And over Trail Ridge and down through Granby.

Toki and I are fine as we live on the North end of town on the high ground. Todd and Karen and Bette (Barbarian Horde/Pirates) Are also safe though Bette was close and near the evac point. Todd and Karen live in the north central side not that far from Toki and I. My sister who some of you know from faire is also fine. She lives below Horsetooth first dam. The Spring Creek flood of 95 started at their place)

Most of Ft Collins is fine though the Poudre did rise and spill over in many spots especially east of town and the Mulberry corridor. Loveland was cut in half by the flooding Big Thompson. My family that lives in the part are fine as they too are on high ground, they my brother was isolated for a day since all roads around him were closed and cut off and just right below his home the subdivision he fought to not be built was underwater from heavy Big T flooding.

So for now Zoe is the biggest concern. Thoughts are with her and Cameron

Big T road up to Estes is GONE! In over 75 places it is gone for miles including the narrows that were raised. Drake is cut off and people there are being evac'd when rain is not falling. Glen Haven is isolated and the town is heavily damaged. Our favorite hiking spot was under water and the river that took out Glen Haven. Lyons is underwater for a lot of it and roads to both Estes and Nederland are heavily damaged. Only Peak to Peak is open but only for delivery and residence only and under military guard. Poudre is damaged but not heavily. it is currently closed at Teds Place. Jamestown is pretty much gone. Millikan. CO underwater and parts of Johnstown as well.

In 76 it took 4 months to rebuild the road to Estes and another 4 years to finish it. At best they say end of November if weather allows maybe Oct to get it open. But it will be years before the road is new.

Toki and I took a drive to see Lake Loveland to see how full it was then south to Taft and 1st as it was closed and under water on Thursday and part of Friday. It was heart breaking to see all the debris and see at points the river rose easily a good 15 feet to cover the road and at Taft and 1st by 3 feet.  The Bike path we ride is still submerged by 4 feet of fast running water at this location

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Thanks for the update

[Butch]

Prayers sent.  Thank-you for the update.  Stay safe!

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

Over head video shot Friday when weather broke

Larimer County Colorado Flooding Survey

At 3:10 you will see the Sylvan Dale Guest ranch. At 3:40 the Dam Store, Falls and pipe/entrance to canyon. They circle around Sylvan Dale then head up the canyon

At 4:56 they show the narrows. Even though this was raised 20' about the river you can see a lot of the road is gone. The walls stand but the road on top is gone.

At 7:45 is Vasquez Park
At 9:06 Idyawild comes into view
At 9:42 you start to see parts of Drake
At 10:30 you see the State stop and road to Glen Haven
10:52 the CDOT building in Drake
At the 18 minute mark you see Estes and below the damn. The g-cart place under water

This gives you an idea of what was hit hardest

[Merlin the Elder]

Thanks, Laney.

[Norfolk]

Excellent brief, Delaney!

[RenStarr]

Nice update Lady De Laney!

Hope Zoe and her husband are ok.  She was very generous with good info on the Estes Park area prior to us getting up that way. 

[Zoë]

Hi friends, hubby and I (and the uterine companion) are fine. We were cut off from communication till yesterday morning. The situation is pretty severe here still but we are doing okay. We never lost electricity or clean water, and we only had minor flooding in our crawlspace. The devastation here is widespread and it is pretty hard to comprehend, it just seems to get worse every day. The major roads are completely destroyed and we are being told it could take 6 months for Highway 36 and up to 12 months for Highway 34 to be repaired. For the time being we can get out via Trail Ridge Road (until it closes for the winter) and Highway 7 through to Central City but only residents, emergencies and deliveries are being allowed back in and we expect that to continue for some time.

The future is kind of up in the air right now on the livelihood of our little town since we depend so much on tourism, but I guess we'll take it a day at a time. I do know, however, that my immediate future DOES include a trip to Santa Fe for the faire this weekend, since we now have a route out of town. I decided it was something that needed to happen so I could get back my sense of "normal", whatever that means now.

Thanks all for the kind wishes.

[Rani Zemirah]

I'm glad so many are accounted for!  I still have a couple in Gold Hill I haven't been able to contact, and they live in a cabin built on a steep mountain slope, so I'm worried. 

Still praying...

[Merlin the Elder]

Good to hear from you, Zoë.

[Norfolk]

The Duchess and I have been in touch with brother Edmund (formerly Wheatie).  They arrived home last Monday to find four feet of water in their finished basement.  Washer, drier, furnaces, and a large quantity of Lady Joyce's art materials will have to be replaced.  Their appearance in KC is undecided at present.  Despite this tragedy, his attitude is amazingly positive.

[Zoë]

We have been assisting many of our neighbors with basements here...the ground is just so saturated that the water keeps coming up even though the flooding is over, by and large. Our sump pump has been running constantly since Thursday afternoon but we are still remaining dry. Many of our neighbors were not so lucky--carpets, furniture, belongings all ruined. The cleanup downtown is progressing positively and I am back to work in my office this morning, even though it is a bit on the muddy side. We are lucky enough to be in a good area. We still have running water, electricity and proper sanitation where there are neighborhoods within only a mile or two of us who do not. There is a pretty wide spectrum of damage and recovery here. But, the sun is out today and that is a positive sign. Rivers are receding all over town and we might get back to some sense of "normal" soon.

[Merlin the Elder]

Sorry to hear about Edmund/Wheatie.  If you speak with him again, let him know we are thinking of them.  I wish there was something we could do...

[Hausfrau Monica]

I am so sad to see all of the photos and hear these comments...now that I know what a beautiful place on earth Estes Park and Lyons are. Ian is keeping me updated. Please be well and safe everyone.

[Rani Zemirah]

It really is hard to lose so much... but I am very grateful that so far, almost everyone has checked in, and is safe!