FLOODING UPDATE: UNC postpones State of the University speech; District 6 resumes classes Tuesday

Jamie Gentry, a kindergarten teacher at Bella Romero Elementary School, helps one of her students, Aileen Mendiola, try on some clothes Monday in Greeley. Aileen's family lost almost all of her possessions in the flood. Bella Romero Elementary set up a makeshift supply center for donations to help the more than 250 students displaced from the flooding, as well as anyone else who needed supplies.

CR 13 between CR 44 and CR 46 - Jersey barriers each side of the creek per J’town

CR 19 between Colo. 60 and CR 42

CR 46.5 between CR 17 and CR 19

Intersection of Harold and Coleman in SW Aristocrate

CR 25 between Colo. 60 and CR 52

CR 13 between CR 54 and U.S. 34

CR 15.5 between CR 50 and CR 54

CR 19.5 between CR 34 and CR 38

CR 17 between Colo. 50 and 52 - Jersey barriers each side of the creek per J’town

CR 54 between Colo. 257 and CR 13

CR 9.5 from the Southwest Service Center north to Colo. 66

54th St Rd between 65th Avenue and 49th Street

Two Rivers Pkwy south of CR 54 (37th Street) to Colo. 60

CR 394 from U.S. 85

CR 31 between CR 46 and CR 394

CR 33 between CR 46 and CR 394

CR 35 between CR 46 and CR 394

CR 54 from Evans City limits to CR 45

CR 46 at Colo. 60 to CR 29

CR 53 from U.S. 34 to CR 60.5

Fern Avenue from 60.5 to E. 18th Street to CR 58 and CR 47.5

CR 28 from I-25 to 13

CR 388 from CR 53 to CR 59

CR 61 on both sides of Bridge damaged from CR 59 to U.S. 34

Intersection of CR 46 and CR 17

25th Avenue from O Street to F Street

CR 108 from U.S. 85 to CR 27

CR 110 from U.S. 85 to CR 27

CR 27 from CR 110 to 114

CR 120 from Colo. 85 to CR 23

E. 24th from Cherry Ave to Bus U.S. 34

Greeley:

71st Avenue from O street to Poudre River

East 24th Street east of Cherry Avenue

95th Avenue from O Street to F Street

83rd Avenue from O Street to F Street

F Street from 83rd to 95th Avenue

6th Avenue from 5th Street to 3rd Street

Windsor:

Open, CR 13 at the Poudre River

7th Street at Eastman Park Drive

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Update, 5:55 p.m. — The University of Northern Colorado has postponed the president’s State of the University address originally scheduled for Tuesday.

President Kay Norton said the event will now take place at noon Sept. 24, in the ballroom at the University Center, 10th Avenue and 20th Street.

“I am postponing the State of the University address until Sept. 24 while we gather ourselves and make sure we have attended first to the needs of our campus community members,” Norton said in a campus email.

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The Greeley Recreation Center reports it no longer needs donated items for displaced residents who are using the shelter at the rec center.

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Update, 5:32 p.m. — The Town of Firestone is still under a mandatory water boil and conservation efforts.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a boil water advisory on behalf of Firestone due to the flooding. Firestone measured low chlorine residuals in the drinking water distribution system on Saturday. This is a precautionary step to protect public health.

Residents are advised to not drink tap water without boiling it first. Residents should bring all water to a boil, let it boil for three minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Until further notice, boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food.

It is OK to take a shower and wash clothes, but do so with conservation in mind.

Bottled water is available at Rocky Mountain Christian Church, 5860 Majestic St.

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Update, 5:29 p.m. — Any Weld County resident whose private well has been impacted by flooding can have their well water tested for free for potability.

Residents can pick up a sample bottle and lab form at one of the following locations:

All samples, with the complete lab form, must be returned to the Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment offices in Greeley, 1555 N. 17th Ave., Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

For other questions regarding the safety of your well water, call (970) 304-6415.

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Update, 5:27 p.m. — The lagoon wastewater sevice LaSalle has been disabled due to flood damage. The plant will be down for a minimum of 48 hours, until at least 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

In the meantime,do not flush your toilet or send anything down a drain of any kind. Sewage may back up into your residence. Portable toilets are set up at the LaSalle community center at 100 Todd and in the 300 block of First Avenue between the middle school and North Valley.

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Update, 5:25 p.m. — The evacuation order for the neighborhood north of Colo. 60 from North Parish Avenue, west to the river, and south of Colo. 60 from South Parish Avenue South to Molnar or Lacosta streets and west to the River are clear to return home.

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Update, 5:23 p.m. — The mandatory evacuations for Greeley’s Spanish Colony and the River Park Mobile Home Park in Greeley have been lifted.

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Update, 4:45 p.m. — Classes in Greeley-Evans School District 6 and Union Colony schools are set to resume Tuesday.

Classes will go on as normally scheduled. No schools in either district were damaged by flood waters. Three District 6 schools - Dos Rios Elementary, Centennial Elementary and Chappelow K-8 ­— are affected by the “no flush” order in Evans. Union Colony Elementary is also under that order. Portable toilets and hand-washing stations will be provided at all schools.

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Update, 4:35 p.m. ­­— Greeley’s Culture, Parks, and Recreation Department’s Recreation Division has canceled both middle school volleyball and football practices today due to School District 6 closures. Schedules will resume tomorrow if schools are re-opened. Both youth flag football and Young America Soccer practices will resume at the coaches’ discretion. Adult sports games and practices schedules are going forward as planned.

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Update, 2:53 p.m. — There are still two general areas on the western side of the Left Hand Water District that will experience an extended outage

Update, 1:45 p.m. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to support state and local response efforts to the flooding in Colorado.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate today traveled to Colorado to meet with federal, state and local officials about ongoing response and recovery efforts. On Saturday, President Obama declared a major disaster in Colorado and authorized federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts, and the declaration was expanded to include Adams, Larimer and Weld counties on Sunday.

The declaration makes federal assistance available for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners in their recovery.

Update, 1:13 p.m. — Weld public health officials warn the increase in standing water from the floods also increases the risk of contracting West Nile Virus.

This week’s forecasted heat will aid the growing process for mosquitoes, maturing them from egg to adult in as little as a week. It also helps the virus incubate in birds that have been infected, which pass it on to mosquitoes.

The best way for people to protect themselves from West Nile Virus is prevention, public health officials say.

» Check your property for pooling water after a rainstorm. Those are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Please take all new and used clothing items to Journey Christian Church, 4754 W. 31st St. The church will be accepting donations for new and used clothes from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Please do not bring any other items to the church. Absolutely no electronic equipment or large items such as furniture will be accepted.

Greeley-Evans School District 6 is accepting cash donations, which are tax deductible, or new shoes, socks and underwear for children ages 4-18. Please do not bring any used items.

Donations will be accepted at the Administration Building, 1025 9th Ave., Greeley. All cash donations will be used to purchase items directly for students in need.

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Update, 12:32 p.m. — United Way of Weld County’s quarterly refugee collaboration forum scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled. The next forum will be held on Dec. 17.

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Update, 12:23 p.m. — Left Hand Water District is asking residents not to direct inquiries regarding service or the boil advisory to its water quality email, as water treatment operators are not able to respond.

Update, 12:03 p.m. — The city of Evans has an update on its water situation:

» Evans’ drinking water is safe to use.

» Evans wastewater system: Effective immediately, every business and resident in the “NO FLUSH ZONE” is asked to stop all use of the wastewater system. This means NO WATER down the drain, including flushed toilets, laundry or showers.

Because of the way the sewer system is connected, any water you put down the drain can result in sewage backing up in your basement or your neighbor’s.

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Update, 11:46 a.m. — Idaho Creek Subdivision at Colo. 119 and WCR 7 is now clear to return. River Valley Mobile Home Park in Longmont is still under mandatory evacuation.

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Update, 11:40 a.m. — Weld County Public Works is out assessing roads and bridges that were obscured by flood waters yesterday.

Bridge crews are starting work to repair and restore WCR 54 between Colo. 257 and WCR 13, 17 from 50 to 52. It’s estimated to take one to two days to be ready to reopen it if the weather holds.

Crews are also arranging to place concrete Jersey barriers or water-filled barriers to more effectively block spectator access to the heavily damage bridges, including Fern, 53/Kersey, WCR 61, and WCR 13 at WCR 26.

Crews are also inspecting damaged gravel roads and identifying where re-gravel is needed. These roads may have been low volume before the flood but now may be the only routes available in some areas.

They are blading WCR 44 to maintain access to Milliken. Tomorrow, the paving crew will finish WCR 46 west of U.S. 85 to Colo. 60, which was milled just before the flood event. This will also become a heavy use route and would deteriorate if left unpaved.

Update: 9:48 a.m. — Evans Mayor Lyle Achziger came to the Weld County commmissioners meeting to thank the county and first responders for their help.

“It’s been a humbling experience to work with all of these mayors,” Achziger added, referring to all of the county’s cities working together on the flood crisis. “We have been in constant contact since Friday ... It’s very humbling to be a part of that, I’m very honored.”

Weld County Commissioner Barbara Kirkmeyer said she has been “truly amazed” to see all of the county’s communities working together.

“I think it’s been a long week, and we’ve probably got a few more weeks ahead of us that are long as well,” she said.

However, Reams added that there are concerns with the standing water in the area, particularly mosquitoes and other health hazards.

Reams said the road closures around the county and “new geography” have forced county emergency crews to reorganize their assets, adding to their challenges.

Reams also said county officials are constantly monitoring road conditions for potential re-openings and closures.

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Update: 9:15 a.m. — Organizers at the Greeley/Evans Moose Lodge, located at 3456 11th Ave. in Evans, said their Monday activities have been canceled, adding that they’ll take a “day-by-day” approach to starting them back up.

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Update: 9 a.m. — Greeley has now received 3.56 inches of rain so far in September — exactly 3 inches more than normal this far into the month.

A week ago, Greeley’s precipitation total for the year was about average, at 11.69 inches — just .12 inches above normal for that date.

As of Sunday evening, Greeley, now with 15.24 inches of precipitation for the year, was about 30 percent above average for the year.

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Update: 8:30 a.m. — Those interested in volunteering or making a donation to those affected by the Colorado flood can do so by dialing 2-1-1, or (866) 760-6489.

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Update: 7:30 a.m. — Hillside Pool, 1414 27th St. in Greeley, is now open for use of showers and facilities for Evans neighbors who are in the no-flush zone. Please bring your own towel, shampoo soap etc. to use.

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Update: 7:20 a.m. — Reminder at the city of Evans. All volleyball, soccer and flag football practices have been canceled today and Tuesday; 8 Week Fat Burn is canceled today; Senior Lunch is canceled Tuesday and Friday; Senior Fun and Fitness is canceled Tuesday.

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Update: 7:11 a.m. — The city of Greeley is reporting no problems w/ Greeley’s water, sewer or other systems; 5th Street and 4th Avenue have reopened.

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Update: 6:50 a.m. — Greeley weather looks a little more promising today. The National Weather Service reports a chance of drizzle before 9 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Tuesday is expected to be sunny with a high near 85, and Wednesday is expected to be mostly sunny with a higher near 86.

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Update: 6:30 a.m. — The South Platte River at Kersey continues to measure above 16 feet in depth, six feet above flood stage, after rising slightly overnight. An equipment failure is noted at the Poudre River gauge in Greeley, but water levels were measuring 7.7 feet at the Greeley wastewater plant a little further downstream. The Poudre River continued to be above 6 feet at the canyon mouth. Updates are as of 5:45 a.m. today.

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Update: 6:27 a.m. — JBS beef processing plant located at 800 8th Ave., in Greeley has canceled both A & B shifts today. Workers are asked not to come to the plant.

At 4 p.m. today, an update on the university’s operating status for Tuesday will be posted on the university home page, via UNC Today and Around Campus, and UNC’s Emergency Alert system (in the event of additional closures).

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Update: 6:15 a.m. — Crisis-trained therapists will be available at the Greeley Recreation Center shelter from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

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Update: 6:13 a.m. — Rain day! Greeley-Evans School District schools are closed today. The University of Northern Colorado also is closed today.

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Update: 5:45 a.m. — Heavy rain continues throughout northern Colorado, with expectations of another day filled with showers in the mountains and the foothills, according to the National Weather Service. Some storms could produce up to an inch of rain in 30 minutes, and flash flooding continues to be a threat. Storms should end early tonight with no additional rain overnight, the Weather Service reports.