No Flooding Wednesday, Officials Say ‘Stay Alert’

Rain totals around the Waldo Canyon burn scar ranged from 1 to over 1 1/2 inches of rain.

The inability of the soils to absorb moisture prompted high flash flood concerns, evidenced by flash flood watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Community leaders tell KRDO Newschannel 13 they were ready for this scenario.

“We have a very comprehensive plan set up for monitoring the weather and runoff from the Waldo Canyon burn scar,” said Ken Hughlett, Emergency Management Coordinator with the City of Colorado Springs.

The City of Colorado Springs and the El Paso County Sheriff’s office said they had additional personnel reporting Wednesday responsible for monitoring ditches and roadways and responding in the event of mudslides or floods.

Both entities said the plans were executed smoothly, and they are pleased with the response from their employees and community residents.

“We have the utmost confidence in being able to exercise and come to task if something bad were to occur,” said Lt. Jeff Kramer, public information officer for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Both entities strongly encourage everyone to stay alert and be ready for the next time rain is in the forecast.

“Even though yesterday didn’t produce a hazard, we are not out of the woods,” said Kramer.

He said all of the preventative measure and precautions residents took should be continued and maintained.

Hughlett said it is uncertain what the scar can and will do during the next storm.

“We don’t know what’s happening up there. There could be debris fields piling up somewhere in the scar itself. It acts kind of like a dam a beaver would build, collecting the water behind it. Eventually, that’s going to bust open and then we’re going to get all that flooding and debris coming down through the channels and into the city,” Hughlett said.

According to Hughlett, there was not as much flow in the ditches and streams as was anticipated. He said there is the possibility that this is due to a clog or dam somewhere within the burn scar.

“We’re constantly looking at what is going on up there. We just don’t know how it’s going to react every time,” said Hughlett.

Hughlett and Kramer suggest those living near the scar maintain sandbag barriers, stay alert to weather, purchasing flood insurance and keep a 72-hour kit packed with essentials in the event the resident is required to evacuate.

“We’re all looking, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst,” Hughlett said.