Officials at the University of Colorado at Boulder are reminding students, faculty and staff that some parts of campus may be prone to flooding, and people who work or live in those areas need to know how to respond appropriately to a flood.
Flooding tips are posted on the CU-Boulder News Center Web site at . People on campus also are being provided with flood tips via internal Buff Bulletins and E-memos so they will know what to do when a flood occurs along Boulder Creek.
"Portions of the campus border Boulder Creek and could be subject to flooding if thunderstorms continue to produce a lot of rain, as they have in the last two weeks," said Paul Tabolt, vice chancellor for administration. "We want to make sure that people on campus located in Family Housing, the Children's Center and various research and office buildings on the East Campus take note of the things they need to do when a flood warning is issued," he said.
One of the most important rules to remember if flooding occurs is not to enter a flooded area, either on foot or in a motorized vehicle, said Sylvia Dane, emergency management coordinator for the Boulder campus.
"People should never try to drive through a flooded area, even if it looks like the water isn't very deep," said Dane. "It doesn't take much water at all to cause a car to start floating, and if that happens, the driver loses all control and may get trapped in the vehicle," she said.
Another important rule to remember is to "climb to safety" if you are along a creek where water is rising. Trying to outrun a flood can result in fatalities. People who are driving when flooding occurs should abandon their cars and climb to safety, experts advise.
Following Colorado's Big Thompson flood in 1976, signs bearing the "Climb to Safety" message were posted in canyons throughout Colorado to warn motorists to leave their cars if flooding occurs. The Big Thompson flood resulted in 144 deaths, including several people trapped in vehicles.
"If you are in a building located along Boulder Creek and hear the warning sirens sound, move to higher ground or an upper floor immediately," said Dane. "People in Boulder may have only a few minutes warning that a flash flood is approaching, so they should not attempt to drive in a flood area or to outrun the flood.
"If you are in a campus location that is located on higher ground, do not attempt to cross Boulder Creek," Dane said. "People really need to be aware that other streams and drainage systems in the area may also experience flooding."
Things to do to stay safe during a flood include the following:
o Never try to drive through a flooded area. As little as 18 inches to 24 inches of moving water can float an automobile. If approaching a flooded area, find an alternate route. Most people who die in floods are in their vehicles at the time.
o Never attempt to outrun a flood in your vehicle. Abandon the vehicle and climb to safety.
o If flood warning sirens go off, do not leave campus. Flooding can occur simultaneously along other waterways in Boulder besides Boulder Creek. Stay tuned to local radio stations for further information. (Warning sirens are tested at 10 a.m. the first Monday of every month from April through August).
o Do not try to cross Boulder Creek when the warning sirens sound. If you hear the sirens or other warnings, flooding is imminent. If you are on the north side of Boulder Creek, proceed to higher ground to the north as quickly as possible. On the East Campus, go to the ARC Building at 3100 Marine St., and go to the sixth floor.
o If you live in Family Housing, please follow Housing Department instructions to evacuate to a higher floor.
o Do not try to save others who are caught in flood waters. Flash floods are so powerful that would-be rescuers are often swept away. People who try to save others in floods frequently become victims themselves. Leave the rescues for trained, professional responders.
o Do not try to enter flooded areas after flood waters have receded unless given the "all clear" by officials. Flooded areas often contain broken glass, debris and toxins. Also, rescue efforts may be underway, and entering such areas may impede rescue.
o Red Cross shelters will be opened for those who are unable to return home. Locations will be announced on local radio stations.
o Do not try to drink tap water until officials verify that it is safe to drink.
For information on Boulder's flood risk, go to the following Web sites:
and .
For information on planning for disasters, including flash floods, go to:
, , .