LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A woman and a girl died on Friday in severe flash floods that hit the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the two deaths late Friday night. It happened in the Buckhorn area, where officials also said a structure was lost. No further information was immediately available about what happened.
A flood advisory remained in effect until 11:30 p.m. with “a surge of water” expected to move down Buckhorn Creek past Masonville, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding was also possible in the areas of Moondance Way, Big Bear and Lower Buckhorn on County Road 27 above Masonville.
County Road 44H remained closed as of 10:17 p.m.
Severe flooding was reported at the Miller Fork, according to the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department. All residents in that area were accounted for, but Miller Fork Road was “closed where Miller Fork crosses under the road until repairs can be made.” Streamside Drive, where a FOX31 viewer recorded video of a flood surge on the road, will require a four-wheel drive vehicle to pass.
Residents were advised to shelter in place. A Red Cross evacuation center opened Friday night at Timberline Church but closed by 9 p.m., as just one family sought services.
Flash floods surge in Cameron Peak Fire burn scar
Earlier Friday evening, the floods were hitting the southeast portion of the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar in the area of Crystal Mountain to Wildsong Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The public was urged to get to higher ground “by any means necessary.”
A flash flood warning was issued Friday until 8 p.m. for central Larimer County in north central Colorado. The National Weather Service wrote of the following impacts:
At 537 PM MDT, emergency management reported flash flooding occurring east of Glen Haven, and in the Crystal Mountain and Buckhorn areas. County Road 43 was impassable east of Glen Haven. County Road 44H was impassable just west of Stove Prairie Road. Flooding was mainly occurring on Miller Fork, Sheep Creek in the Crystal Mountain area, and on Buckhorn Creek below Sheep Creek near Stove Prairie Road. Significant rises are likely on Buckhorn Creek as it turns south from that area over the next couple of hours.
HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE…Emergency management reported.
IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, gulches,
roads, and poor drainage and low-lying areas.Some locations that will experience flash flooding include… mainly rural areas of Central Larimer County.
This includes the following additional locations… Lower Buckhorn on County Road 27 above Masonville, Crystal Mountain, The Retreat and Storm Mountain.
National Weather Service
Wildfire burn scars were particularly at risk from storm impacts. The forecast showed strong storms could drop up to 1 inch of rain in just half an hour.
Flood safety advice
Larimer County urged the following flood safety advice:
- Avoid areas subject to flooding including dips, low spots, ditches, etc. and do not attempt to cross flowing streams or creeks.
- If driving, be aware that the road may not be intact under flood waters.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around and go another way.
- If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.