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Thousands warned to evacuate floods in Boulder, Colorado Thousands warned to evacuate amid Colorado floods
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people have been warned to evacuate the Boulder area of Colorado as flooding swells a nearby creek to dangerous levels. Thousands of people have been warned to evacuate the Boulder area of Colorado and a mountain hamlet as flooding swells creeks to dangerous levels.
Storm rains have killed three people in the state and caused severe damage to property.Storm rains have killed three people in the state and caused severe damage to property.
Water levels in the Boulder Canyon are reportedly rising rapidly because of debris and mud blocking its mouth.Water levels in the Boulder Canyon are reportedly rising rapidly because of debris and mud blocking its mouth.
Many roads are closed because of high water and debris, preventing rescue crews from reaching the stranded. Flooding has closed roads, hampering rescue crews trying to reach stranded communities downstream.
Governor John Hickenlooper told local radio on Thursday there had been "a staggering amount" of rainfall. President Barack Obama signed an emergency order on Thursday night approving federal disaster aid for Boulder County.
"Given the drought situation we've had, it was almost a year's worth of rain," he said on radio channel KBCO. Some 4,000 people living along Boulder Creek were sent notices to move to higher ground late on Thursday, reported Boulder's Daily Camera newspaper.
'Weird storm' Another 500 inhabitants of Eldorado Springs were urged to leave due to a threat from South Boulder Creek, an official told Associated Press early Friday.
Emergency officials have reported three deaths: one in Colorado Springs; one when a structure collapsed in Jamestown; and another in Boulder. Low-lying areas beyond the Rocky Mountains are also at risk, with up to 3,000 people previously ordered to leave the Commerce City district of Denver.
Governor John Hickenlooper told local radio there had been "a staggering amount" of rainfall.
"Given the drought situation we've had, it was almost a year's worth of rain," he said on the KBCO radio station.
The rain is forecast to continue until midday on Friday (18:00 GMT).
'Water everywhere'
Emergency officials have reported three deaths: one in Colorado Springs; one when a structure collapsed in Jamestown; and another in Boulder. Several more people are missing, say local reports.
"There is water everywhere," Andrew Barth, emergency management spokesman in Boulder County, told Reuters news agency.
"We've had several structural collapses. There's mud and muck and debris everywhere. Cars are stranded all over the place."
National Guard troops have reportedly been dispatched to Lyons, north of Boulder, cut off and said to be without fresh water, power or phone lines.
Part of the problem is that US Highway 36 has been washed out by floodwater.
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.
Two areas south-east of the town of Estes Park have been ordered to evacuate after an earth dam gave way in the area.Two areas south-east of the town of Estes Park have been ordered to evacuate after an earth dam gave way in the area.
About 400 students at University of Colorado, Boulder, were evacuated and classes were cancelled on Thursday because of the flooding. Classes at the University of Colorado, Boulder, were cancelled until Friday at least, while schools in the area are also closed.
Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for the Jamestown and Fourmile areas, and parts of the towns of Longmont and Loveland
Colorado State Patrol Captain John Burt said damage was being reported across several counties, including Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson, north-west of Denver, and in El Paso County around Colorado Springs.
Almost all roads to Boulder had been blocked or flooded, according to the Denver Post.
The town of Lyons has been completely cut off and residents are staying on higher ground. Those living in Lyons are being told to drink only bottled or boiled water because of a possible breach of the town's water system.
Standing water on a road caused some traffic delays into Denver International Airport, but not to flights.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." The prolonged rain has been blamed on a low-pressure system stationed over Nevada which is drawing moist air out of Mexico into the Rockies' foothills.
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".