Forum Discussion

Lauren's avatar
Lauren
Explorer
Sep 13, 2013

Estes Park, CO Flooded

Estes Park is flooded severely and the only road in and out or town is Hwy 34 from the west (Trail Ridge Road thru Rocky Mtn NP).

Video we have seen shows Hwy 34 to Loveland nearly completely washed out in many areas so will be a long time for it.

This is, by far, the worse flooding in that area since major floods in 1976 and 1982.

(Sandi, please allow this double posting due to the impact on routes and parks / camping -- thank you).

Lauren
  • Uppercrust wrote:
    would like to see some pictures. My mom & stepdad live in Estes Park.

    The weather channel has had some good coverage.
    the news had pics of National Guard trucks rescueing people from Lyons
    with their big 5 ton trucks.All this water has to go somewhere and it wont be long before the Platte river will be flood stage.
  • You can only get into and out of Estes Park at this time by using Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park. 7News Link

    The park is currently closed to all non-residents of Estes Park to allow them unfettered access. All others are being asked to leave the park: Rocky Mountain NP Flood Info
  • 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
  • I just watched channel 9 out of Denver where they were showing Hwy 34 up the canyon to Estes Park. Many huge sections of the highway are completely gone. This is going to be a long,long project with lots of inconvenience to those who work outside of Estes Park. I suppose they will have to find suitable housing elsewhere if they want to work.

    The Poudre River is suppose to crest tonight at 12'1" feet which is the highest it has ever been. More roads in the Ft Collins, Windsor and Greeley area are closing at this time.
    I have a granddaughter who is a office manager for a restoration. She has been working for 3 days straight day and night and just told be they got 130 more jobs today.
    There are a lot of communities where crews can't get in to do the restoration work.
    Tough days ahead!

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 15, 2013