In 1976 there was a huge flood through the canyon that killed over 100 residents and visitors. A few seconds are missing at the very end of bobs signoff. Kelly said in his response, you do not know how deep the water is. Aug 02, 1976 flash flood along big thompson canyon, denver, colo, kills at least 65 persons. A crack in the living room wall is a constant reminder a reminder about the. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around the resort town of estes park. But the torrents did, once again, rip down the big thompson canyon. On july 31, 1976, during the celebration of colorados centennial, the big thompson canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that. On july 31, 1976, during the celebration of colorados centennial, the big thompson canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that swept down the steep and narrow canyon, claiming the lives of 143 people, 5 of whom were never found.
Flooding in colorado articles colorado encyclopedia. May 11, 2011 this case sticks in my mind because of the intensity of the water as it rushed from the rocky mountains into big thompson canyon in colorado. A deadly flood that helped improve weather forecasting welcome. Big thompson canyon, colorado nasa earth observatory. The big thompson flood an eyewitness account applied. Man survives 1976 big thompson flood, still recovering from loss in. Cabin lodged on a private bridge just below drake, looking upstream. On july 31, 1976, a violent rainstorm sent rushing water through the big thompson canyon just west of loveland. Flash floods and warnings national weather service. Search victims of the 1976 big thompson canyon flash flood in colorado.
Geological survey to commemorate the 1976 flood was obliterated by the 20 event, and the sylvan dale ranch, host of the big thompson canyon floods of 1976 and 20. The big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorado s recorded history. All of the stories of where, when and what they were doing that night, are both heart wrenching and amazing to. It was the saturday of the weekend commemorating colorados centennial and the last holiday weekend before the start of school. This case sticks in my mind because of the intensity of the water as it rushed from the rocky mountains into big thompson canyon in colorado. Big thompson canyon flash flood 1976 national weather service. One of them, the notorious big thompson flash flood of july 1976, killed at least 144 people north of boulder. Jerry shaffer, a survivor of the 1976 big thompson flood, reminisces at his. The sudden flood that churned down the narrow big thompson canyon scoured the river channel that night, caused over. Shaffer, a survivor of the 1976 flood of the big thompson river, is still. The big thompson flood has been called the worst natural disaster in colorado history. Geological survey to commemorate the 1976 flood was obliterated by the 20 event, and the sylvan dale ranch, host of the.
The flood in the big thompson canyon destroyed 316 homes, 45 mobile homes, 52 businesses, and 438 automobiles. Sep 26, 2011 complete video of the live coverage of the big thompson canyon july 31, 1976 colorado flood. Several extreme floods such as the infamous big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976, have occurred in this vulnerable area. Flash floods occur on the western slope as well, but with typically lower frequency and intensity due to a reduced supply of moisture to. Jerry and ealy returned to a site near the river to free some guinea hens. Flash floods occur on the western slope as well, but with typically lower frequency and intensity due to a reduced supply of moisture to fuel such storms colorado climate center, 2015. Sep 17, 20 the 1976 flash flood in big thompson canyon between estes park and loveland a seemingly similar event which killed more than 100 people was caused by a highly localized hovering. Driving along the river in the big thompson canyon. Complete video of the live coverage of the big thompson canyon july 31, 1976 colorado flood. A house teetering on the riverbank gives testament to the power of the big thompson flood that crashed through the canyon in 1976 ago killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. Because of the big thompson flood and other similar events, much has been done in the past 30 to 35 years to better warn citizens of the danger of flash flooding.
Remembering the one colorado flood to rule them allstill vice. The night of july 31, 1976, a large storm system caused torrential rains over the upper section of the river. The water speeds were very high and people were just washed away. In the 1930s, the colorado state highway department used new deal money to construct a modern highway in big thompson canyon. The big thompson flash flood is known to flood experts all over the world. Home genealogy databases disasters big thompson canyon colorado flash flood 1976. This fact sheet presents a summary of the hydrologic condi. These floods were much more extensive the the big thompson canyon flood of 1976, but because of timely and accurate warnings, many people stayed out of harms way and lives were saved.
In 1976, after a week of rain saturated the ground, a huge storm up around estes park unleashed a flood that killed more than 100. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 was colorados worst flash flood in terms of lives lost. The big thompson flood of july, 31, 1976, was one of three major flash. On july 31, 1976, the big thompson canyon was filled with. Now this two lane, paved road is built high above the river so it can withstand the rising waters. The 1976 flash flood in big thompson canyon between estes park and loveland a seemingly similar event which killed more than 100 people was caused by a highly localized hovering. The big thompson canyon flood university of louisville. Colorado is more than familiar with flash flooding.
In the first hour alone, 8 inches of rainfall was recorded for a total of 12 inches during the first three hours. The rain started in the evening of july 31 and by the wee hours of august 1, you had 12 inches of rain in this narrow canyon. On july 31, 1976, the skies opened up over the big thompson canyon, setting off the deadliest natural disaster in colorado history that. Big thompson canyon goes from estes park to loveland along us 34. Combine the celebration of colorados statehood centennial with the grandeur of summer in the colorado rockies and you can well imagine the scene along highway 34 in the big thompson canyon as july 1976 ended. The big thompson flood in 1976 crashed through the canyon killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. A total of 144 people were killed on that saturday evening, july 31, 1976the eve of the 100th anniversary of colorados statehood. The bodies of julies father, mother and sister were soon and inevitably found. Sep, 20 91220 colorados big thompson canyon extreme flash flooding. On the big thompson river, from just west of glen comfort downstream to loveland there was almost complete devastation. That night a flash flood ravaged the canyon, causing the worst natural disaster, in terms of. A flood of memories the big thompson flood of 1976 part 1. Big thompson canyon flood the big thompson canyon located east of the town of estes park has steep walls of bedrock and easily eroded soil. Nearly 300 coloradans have been killed by flash flooding since the year 1900.
Jerry shaffer survived the july 31, 1976 flood of big thompson canyon. Jul 29, 2016 a deadly flood that helped improve weather forecasting a look at progress in 40 years since colorados big thompson flood of july 31, 1976. Colorado floods triggered by convergence of geography and. They were only three of what was to amount to over 150 lives claimed by the raging waters of the big thompson flood that july 31, 1976. Colorado flooding cuts off mountain towns, kills 3. On july 31, 1976, a storm in northern colorado dumped a foot of rain into the big thompson canyon producing a raging torrent of water 19 feet high and resulting in 145. The flood demolished homes and businesses and claimed the lives of visitors and residents alike. It is considered to be a rare event but could happen again at any time.
A deadly flood that helped improve weather forecasting. Edward kronenberger was found first, and after what seemed a long time, kimmy and esther. In 1976 in big thompson canyon flash flooding%2c 144 people died. As coloradans celebrated the centennial of the states founding late on a hot summer afternoon 40 years ago, a brewing thunderstorm parked itself at the head of the big thompson canyon. I was pretty little when i heard about the colorado flash flood, the one that.
According to, it was the height of tourist season in big thompson canyon, a popular camping area an hour west of the city of denver, colorado. Honstein thought of horror stories from the 1976 flood, people trapped in cars floating down the river, screaming. When a foot of rain fell over big thompson canyon in 1976, it killed 144. Water levels swiftly rose over nine feet, cut away. Merchants in the canyon faced a big job clean up following the devastating flood. July 2006 revisits the 30th anniversary of the big thompson flood one of the most deadly flash floods in colorados recorded history jarrett and vandas, 2006. Big thompson canyon struck again by tragic flooding. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods, because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed and unpredictability.
Exercise 6 streams and flooding central texas college. The direct route between estes park and loveland takes you on us 34 through big thompson canyon. Jul 31, 2012 the big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. Devastation also occurred along the north fork big thompson river in the vicinity of glen haven. Big thompson canyon flash flood of july 31august 1.
Aug 26, 20 in the summer of 1976, when i was 7 years old, the river i lived near the big thompson suffered a flash flood of unheard of proportions. Jul 29, 2016 a years worth of rain fell in 70 minutes. Often, human actions contributed to the devastating effects of flooding. Map of stream system and key locations in vicinity of big thompson canyon. This gage was used as a source of information by wsfo denver on the night of the flood, but did not contribute information about the big thompson river.
Many of the estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people in the canyon were. All of the stories of where, when and what they were doing that night, are both heart wrenching and amazing to hear. In the summer of 1976, when i was 7 years old, the river i lived near the big thompson suffered a flash flood of unheard of proportions. It holds pictures of the days that followed the 1976 flood, a recording the sale of.
What began as a celebratory saturday in the mountains ended in tragedy 40 years ago this weekend, when a catastrophic flash flood ripped through the narrow big thompson canyon of colorado s front range. Inventory from flooded big thompson canyon store sits in the road as cleanup begins in 1976. Unusual weather patterns allowed the huge storm system to stall over the area as it dumped its load. A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water levels, along rivers, creeks, normally dry washes, arroyos, or even normally dry land areas. Many residents and visitors who were present in the big thompson canyon on july 31, 1976, recall the flood with vivid memories. Big thompson canyon in northern colorado is the site of the states worst natural disastera 1976 flash flood that killed 144 people. In the first hour alone, 8 inches of rainfall was recorded. Sep 10, 2010 among the responses was a phone call from merrit jensen of corvallis, who lived through one of the biggest and deadliest floods in u. A small car with 8 inches of clearance will bob like a cork in a foot and a half of water. If such a flood were to hit boulder, colorado, the results would likely be far more devasting since so many more people live at the mouth of the canyon.
The big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. A tale of two deadly and destructive weather events. Guide to the david mccomb big thompson flood collection. The flood on july 31, 1976, the big thompson canyon was filled with residents and visitors.
The body of an 80yearold retired teacher was found last week as flood waters receded here. Big thompson flood, colorado usgs publications repository. A typical automobile is fairly buoyant and with low bottom clearance. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 barbara anderson, sharlynn wamsley, gary wamsley, linda roesener on. Larimer county officials say 10inch rain caused flooding in canyon between loveland and. A deadly flood that helped improve weather forecasting a look at progress in 40 years since colorados big thompson flood of july 31, 1976. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Larimer county officials say 10inch rain caused flooding in canyon between loveland and estes park.
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