Estes Park, CO Flooded

Pretty amazing the news reports and images on the Denver news.

We just talked to former E P friends who now live in Ft. Collins (flooding there as well) and whose son / family still live in Estes.

All highways on the east access are closed and sounds like for a long time....that is Hwy 34 from Loveland, Hwy 36 from Lyons (that town of 2500 has been evacuated) and Hwy 7 from that direction as well.

Major sections of those roads are gone and, in many cases, cannot have temporary detours made due to canyon walls and other factors.

The National Guard has been flown into Estes and continues to be so.

Most have electricity but all water has to be boiled.

It is so vastly widespread and will go down as the worst disaster to ever hit the area.

Our hearts go out to all those in Estes - whether friends, other residents or people visiting. We hope the visitors can be out safely to the west soon.

Lauren & Barbara

Estes got 6" more rain overnight from a news report there.

http://www.reporterherald.com/news/colorado/ci_24087174/interstate-25-is-closed-loveland-and-fort-collins

Google Estes Park Flooding

Nothing real latest but gives an idea.

I just heard that the entire town of Lyons - downstream - has been evacuated. It is on Hwy 36 that leads up to Estes Park from Boulder.

And I heard they are considering opening the gates on the dam of Lake Estes which will dump more water down the Big Thompson River into Big Thompson Canyon. I cannot verify that, however. And it is already in serious trouble (Hwy 34) and closed at Loveland. I think it has washed out again.

I do not know about Hwy 7 (Peak to Peak) but presume that is closed as well as they say the only way to access Estes currently is Trail Ridge Road.

Much of downtown Estes is under water.

Have been unable to contact friends who live along both the Fall River and the Big Thompson River feeding into Lake Estes. I fear their places are in serious trouble.

Very sad.

Agreed about it being state wide but not not all towns are tourist attractions / destinations with no access in or out.

I'm in Fort Collins and it's scary but sounds like entire state is having flood issues.