Flash flooding prompts evacuations, emergency response in Manitou Springs
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Strong to severe storms descended on Southern Colorado on Wednesday afternoon. The weather prompted warnings and some evacuation orders in Manitou Springs.
Due to rapidly rising water levels in Fountain Creek, Manitou Springs Pool & Fitness Center, Manitou Springs City Hall, Parking and Mobility Offices at 400 Manitou Ave, and Pikes Peak RV park were evacuated.
As of 4:30 p.m., those evacuation orders were lifted, allowing residents of the RV park to return home.
Don Happe, a camper visiting from Texas, says the experience was especially emotional for his family, given the recent deadly flooding in their home state.
"My wife was really freaked out because, you know, coming from Texas again with the floods there, she was in tears," Happe told KRDO13.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Manitou Springs until 5:30 p.m. The warning covers an area with a burn scar, which makes the risk elevated.
The City of Manitou Springs reported late Wednesday afternoon that a Doppler radar had indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall in the warned area, with one to two inches of rain already having fallen.
Officials warned of the following areas:
- Flash flooding of small creeks and streams
- Urban flooding in streets, highways, and underpasses
- Mudslides in steep terrain involving rock, mud, vegetation, and debris
City officials say the fast-moving response helped avoid any injuries.
"The creek runs right by the site and it was actually flooding into the RV park," said Cassandra Hessel, Public Information Officer for the City of Manitou Springs. "So no casualties, no injuries, anything like that. But the fire department and police department were able to get everybody out fairly quickly."
One viewer, Kassie Notargiacomo, sent video of the flooding covering the road driving out of downtown Manitou Springs. Notargiacomo said she was in downtown Manitou Springs near the Penny Arcade when she heard sirens go off.
According to officials, city staff is working to canvass the city for any emergencies, utility issues, and cleanup.
Updates will be provided via official City channels. To receive emergency alerts, sign up for Peak Alerts at www.elpasoteller911.org. For emergencies, call 911.
We will be updating this article as the afternoon progresses with more information or other warnings as they come in.
Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.
