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Colorado flash flooding kills three people | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Flooding from a storm in Colorado has killed three people and prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes. | |
Many roads are closed because of high water and debris, preventing rescue crews from reaching the stranded. | Many roads are closed because of high water and debris, preventing rescue crews from reaching the stranded. |
Up to 7in (17cm) of rain fell in three hours in the Boulder area on Thursday morning, the third day of rain. | Up to 7in (17cm) of rain fell in three hours in the Boulder area on Thursday morning, the third day of rain. |
Residents in two areas south-east of the town of Estes Park have been ordered to evacuate after an earthen dam gave way in the area. | Residents in two areas south-east of the town of Estes Park have been ordered to evacuate after an earthen dam gave way in the area. |
Further heavy rainfall is expected on Thursday. | |
'Weird storm' | 'Weird storm' |
Emergency officials have reported three deaths: one in Colorado Springs; one when a structure collapsed in Jamestown; and another in Boulder. | |
A 20ft (6m) wall of water was reported in Left Hand Canyon, north of Boulder, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Kleyla. | A 20ft (6m) wall of water was reported in Left Hand Canyon, north of Boulder, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Kleyla. |
Rescuers in the area were trying to get through debris to reach a firefighter who climbed a tree to escape the water, according to US media reports. | Rescuers in the area were trying to get through debris to reach a firefighter who climbed a tree to escape the water, according to US media reports. |
Some 400 students at University of Colorado, Boulder, were evacuated and classes were cancelled on Thursday because of the flooding. | Some 400 students at University of Colorado, Boulder, were evacuated and classes were cancelled on Thursday because of the flooding. |
Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the Jamestown and Fourmile areas. | Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the Jamestown and Fourmile areas. |
Colorado State Patrol Captain John Burt said damage was being reported across several counties, including Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson, north-west of Denver, and El Paso County around Colorado Springs. | Colorado State Patrol Captain John Burt said damage was being reported across several counties, including Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson, north-west of Denver, and El Paso County around Colorado Springs. |
Almost all roads to Boulder had been blocked or flooded, according to the Denver Post. | Almost all roads to Boulder had been blocked or flooded, according to the Denver Post. |
Standing water on a road caused some traffic delays into Denver International Airport, but not to flights. | |
Officials told NBC that water reached as high as first-floor windows in some parts of Boulder, while cars were seen floating in the streets. | Officials told NBC that water reached as high as first-floor windows in some parts of Boulder, while cars were seen floating in the streets. |
An emergency bulletin from Adams County, east of Denver, warned residents: "Stay away or be swept away." | An emergency bulletin from Adams County, east of Denver, warned residents: "Stay away or be swept away." |
Boulder emergency management spokeswoman Gabrielle Boerkircher told AFP news agency the rainfall had been unusual not only for the amount of rain but for how the storm was behaving. | |
"It's been a weird storm," she said, adding it had been "turning back around on itself all night". | "It's been a weird storm," she said, adding it had been "turning back around on itself all night". |