Community Update - Flood Information
May 19, 2023
Routt County continues to see localized flooding impacts due to warming temperatures and melting snowpack. Our Office of Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center to continue to monitor the thresholds and prepare to take action when needed.

The resources in this newsletter can be found at: www.co.routt.co.us/Flooding.
Monitor River Gauges & Weather Forecasts
Prepare before a flood
Prepare your family and your home before flooding begins:
  • Know your flood risk - view flood maps or contact your local Planning Department
  • Obtain flood insurance - get coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program
  • Sign up for Routt County Alerts - The Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radios also provide emergency alerts.
  • Monitor weather and flooding forecasts (see links above)
  • Prepare a "Go Kit" with Emergency Supplies in case you are told to evacuate
  • Collect and store supplies necessary to "Shelter in Place" if you are unable to leave your home or would not be able to re-enter due to access issues
  • Prepare or mitigate your property

Sandbag Stations:
  • Six sand stations currently available in the City of Steamboat Springs, bring your own bags to fill and transport.
  • Crawford & Pahwintah
  • Honey Suckle Lane
  • 9th & Pine
  • Meadowood Lane
  • Pamela Lane
  • Stone Lane
  • North Routt Fire Station #1 (54545 Co Rd 129, Clark, CO 80428 – the station next to the Clark Store) has sand available, bring your own bags to fill and transport.
  • Town of Oak Creek does not have any sandbag stations at this time.
  • Town of Yampa does not have any sandbag stations at this time.

Sandbag Materials for purchase:
  • Steamboat Ace Hardware
During a flood
Your safety is the highest priority during a flood. To keep yourself and your family safe, we suggest the following tips.
  • Listen to all emergency alerts and messages.
  • Evacuate if told to do so. PLAN AHEAD: If you or someone in your family requires additional time to evacuate, you should prepare to evacuate early.
  • Shelter in place if it is unsafe to leave your home. Get to the highest level of your home if floodwaters enter your home.
  • Stay out of floodwaters. Turn around, don't drown!
  • Do not use gas-powered generators, heaters, grills, stoves, or other equipment inside your home.
  • Stay away from downed powerlines or electrical wires.
  • Shut-off your utilities (if safe to do so) or contact your utility provider to shut them off for you. Have them inspected before you turn them back on.
  • Do not recreate in or near rivers and other bodies of water. Water conditions are rapidly changing and may quickly become dangerous or have unseen hazards.
  • If you are outdoors and experience flooding, climb to higher ground immediately.
  • Keep your cell phone charged.

Call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
After a flood
Follow these tips for what to do after a flood: 
  • Return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
  • Avoid direct contact with floodwaters and debris.
  • Mold and mildew can begin to grow in 24-48 hours and must be dealt with immediately.
  • Dispose of items that cannot be disinfected such as wall coverings, cloth and clothing, rugs, drywall and insulation. Dispose of any food that may not have been property stored or that can into contact with flood waters.
  • Pay attention to any boil water orders.
  • Teams from your jurisdiction may approach your home to do a structural or damage assessment - work with them to provide needed information about your damages, losses, and costs. Ask for identification before letting someone into your home.
  • Document all damages and work completed, take pictures, save your receipts.
  • Contact your insurance provider.
Self-report Flooding Damage
Property owners are encouraged to complete a Property Damage Self-Assessment if their property experiences any damages due to the flooding that we are currently experiencing.

The purpose of the self-assessment is to help facilitate damage assessments across the County so we can get a more accurate picture of the overall impacts County-wide. The total dollar amount for damages is important because it helps determine if the County or municipalities will meet any thresholds for State or Federal support.
Observation Report
The public can submit observation reports of other damages that are not on their property, such as flooded roads, blocked culverts, erosion, rock or mudslides, etc. A separate survey is used which requires little information but allows the public to submit a picture and a location. Once again, this information will allow officials to respond to hazards quicker and maintain better awareness of damages occurring throughout Routt County.

This Survey is intended for data gathering only and is not used for evaluating property damage claims or for any compensatory purpose. The information and photos (collectively "records") provided to Routt County via this Survey shall become the property of the County upon submission. The County may share or dispose of the records at its sole discretion without further notice.
Additional Information
Contact Us
Please send any questions, media requests or flood related observations (non-emergent) to info@co.routt.co.us. A hotline has been set up for telephone inquiries as well, call 970-871-8444.

Call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
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