'Emergency disaster' declared in Colorado county after mudflow hit homes

A remote mountain county in Colorado has declared an 'Emergency Disaster' following a period of heavy moisture in recent weeks.

According to Ouray County officials, the decision was ratified in a meeting on August 14, with the result of the heavy moisture being ample flooding and several landslides that have damaged roadways and infrastructure in the local area. According to the National Weather Service, more hazardous rain may be on the way to this part of the state, too.

The significant moisture started to appear on August 5 involving several monsoonal events. Damages include a County Road 17 washout and closure, rockslides and mudslides on County Road 23, the necessity of debris removal from Amphitheater and County Road 261, mudflow into some homes and other structures, and flooding of agricultural fields and pastures. The City of Ouray has also reported damages at Bridal Veil Bridge, Fedel Court, Skyrocket, and Oak Creek. The town of Ridgway is also said to have sustained damage at their headgates, which feed into the local reservoir.

The 'Emergency Disaster' declaration will better allow for emergency preparedness and response, with this effort including mutual aid agreements from other jurisdictions.

Ouray County is located in southwest Colorado, best known for being home of towns of Ouray and Ridgway, as well as for providing access to San Juan County's Silverton via the Million Dollar Highway. This part of the state is quite remote from major metropolitans, consisting mostly of rugged mountainous terrain. The entire population of the county is estimated at about 5,100 residents – roughly nine people per square mile.

Residents of Ouray County can report damage to private property with potential for obtaining funding assistance here .

Read more about this situation here .

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