My family has a 3 acre piece of land in a meadow area just outside of Estes Park Co. I lived there during the 80's, and my Mom lives there every summer. We love spending time up there, and have many, many treasured memories in these mountains. I last talked to Mom Thursday 9/12. She said it was raining, and the water from the normally small Little Thompson River, was lapping at the porch. The river is about 50 feet from the cabin. There are 6 families that live along the same road off Hwy 36. She will go to a neighbor's home which is up on higher ground. I have been on pins and needles, waiting to hear any word of what is happening. last night, a friend in Estes Park, was able to make a call to us to let us know she had talked to Mom, she is OK but the cabin probably is not. She said it was a miracle that they were able to get a phone call through, they aren't having much luck with that. I don't even have words to describe how I feel about seeing this devastation. Phone and electricity is very spotty, so they are cut off from everything right now. I did get a call in to the Sheriff's emergency line so I gave them Mom's name and location. The National Guard is trying to evacuate people, but are having difficulties because of the weather conditions. The highways leading in and out of Estes are damaged and closed. Please say prayers for the flood victims in Colorado. This is a major natural disaster, which will take a very long time to recover from.
The area around Estes Park is so pretty, it really hurts to see the news photos of it now. Hope your Mom stays safe.
Kay, I'm so happy your mom is with neighbors and okay. I hope they will all be evacuated to a safer spot soon. Thoughts and prayers to all affected by the floods and damage. Please keep us updated on your mom, and on the evacuation process.
Thank you guys for the kind words. This really is heartbreaking. I finally got a call from an Estes friend. She gave me the phone # where Mom is. When I called, I could hear them , but they could not hear me, just buzzing and static. She gave me their email, and said the internet was up, so I was able to send them a message. Then Mom sent me back an email. It was brief, but she said the cabin had about two feet of floodwater rush through. It did go on out which is good, but left behind a huge mess! She sat up above and had to watch it flood her home. :'( I don't know much more. They have electricity, food and water, so are just riding it out for now. The future is very uncertain. Not sure what can be salvaged from the cabin. I feel so helpless, the roads are washed away, can not get up to Estes. My sister and I were thinking of going out, but will wait to make a sensible plan. The videos and pics are just unreal for me to see areas that I know so well looking so awful. Prayers and positive thoughts are so appreciated.
You can count on me for sending lots and lots of positive thoughts. It really does sound like an unreal situation. You poor lady, you must be beside yourself with frustration. I hope that you and your family can make a good and safe plan to extract your mum from this situation. Well, I have the idea that she will be alright for now where she is. I am wishing you and yours strength for the clean-up once the waters have receded and the roads have been repaired. Ach Kay, it is just awful. Hang in there and by all means....keep us posted. I shall be feeling a bit uneasy for you until a good report comes out of where you are.
Kay I can't imagine how devastating this news must have been for you. Thank goodness your mother got out of the cabin in time. I just hope that the waters will recede and the damage can be sorted out and isn't too severe. In the meantime though it's good to know that you can at least e.mail your mum and keep in touch with her that way. You and your family are in our thoughts.
Sjoerd- Eileen Thanks. I have had a few emails today. She said the water mark in the cabin was at about 2 feet. Lots of mud left behind. So, the process of clean up will need to begin soon. We have a barn on the property which wasn't flooded, so she can move things up there to get them out of the cabin. She does have some nice pieces of antique furniture, so I think they will try to start with getting those out. Her spirits seem OK, considering. All of them have got to be in a sort of shock from all this! I am glad the neighbors don't have flood damage, they all sit much higher up the mountain. The bridge that they drive over to get up to the highway is still under water, so they need to wait to see what condition it is in before attempting to drive over it. The people that live out there are a tough breed, they will rally and get busy with the clean up. I know there are still people missing, but the loss of life is low at this time. It breaks my heart to think of all the wildlife, and livestock that are effected, as well as homes and businesses gone.
I've been through a few "small" floods and they are so scarey. So glad your Mom is safe. So sorry about the cabin.
Prayers said for everyone...I did see some pictures on the news with so much destruction from flooding.
Well Kay, I cannot really get a mental picture of the area where your mum lives. I mean, I have been to Colo. but how the landscape is right where your mum lives, I can't envision. Well, as sad as it will be, I would like to see pics when you can get over there and begin helping with the clean-up. I just do not think of "lowness' of the land when I recollect Colorado. This is just awful, miss. Wishing your mum and YOU the strength and what-not to get through this.
With a flood like that can not get things up high. Have helped people clean up from flood. You are shocked what water can do. They will need lot of prayers and $$$$. As most do not have flood insurance.
