Flooding

Academics and officials are observing 50 years since a massive flash flood tore through Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland. A July 31, 1976, storm dumped over a foot of rain on the area, killing 144 people.

Water swept through the canyon between Estes Park and Loveland in one of the deadliest disasters in Colorado history. We look back at the disaster and its aftermath.

Soil that's been burned in a wildfire often can't absorb substantial rainfall, sending water, mud and fallen trees downstream.

Storms across the Western U.S. are dumping more rain in shorter bursts than in decades past. But according to new research, that doesn’t necessarily mean landscapes are holding onto more water.

FEMA has denied Colorado’s appeal for a major disaster declaration for two natural disasters that occurred last year.

New research shows that many rural roads in the Mountain West may be more vulnerable to flooding than people realize. That’s because the culverts and stream crossings underneath them aren’t built to handle today’s storms.

From September 9 through 16, 2013, catastrophic floods swept across Colorado's Front Range, forcing thousands from their homes and leaving entire neighborhoods underwater. In Longmont, the St. Vrain Creek burst its banks, causing nearly $150 million in infrastructure damage. The city rebuilt with resilience in mind, and its efforts have earned recognition from the United Nations.

In recent weeks, destructive and deadly flash floods have hit several parts of the country, including the Mountain West. A New York Times analysis found the National Weather Service has vacant senior leadership positions at many offices overseeing areas vulnerable to flash floods.

Fort Collins' Oak Street Stormwater effort is the third-most expensive project in city history. It's designed to pipe water underneath Old Town during heavy rains.

A Boulder Creek flood mitigation project is moving forward, but it faces challenges with permitting and open space allocation. City staff need approval to make room on open space for a flood wall. Tim Drugan with Boulder Reporting Lab joined us to talk about the latest in a years-long saga.