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Thousands warned to evacuate amid Colorado floods Thousands warned to evacuate amid Colorado floods
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people have been warned to evacuate the Boulder area of Colorado and a mountain hamlet as flooding swells creeks 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.
Flooding has closed roads, hampering rescue crews trying to reach stranded communities downstream.Flooding has closed roads, hampering rescue crews trying to reach stranded communities downstream.
President Barack Obama signed an emergency order on Thursday night approving federal disaster aid for Boulder County.President Barack Obama signed an emergency order on Thursday night approving federal disaster aid for Boulder County.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.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."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).The rain is forecast to continue until midday on Friday (18:00 GMT).
'Water everywhere''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.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."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.""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.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.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.
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.
Classes at the University of Colorado, Boulder, were cancelled until Friday at least, while schools in the area are also closed.Classes at the University of Colorado, Boulder, were cancelled until Friday at least, while schools in the area are also closed.
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.
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.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.
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