Flooding Flooding Flooding

Every year heavy rains make an appearance in Colorado.  Sometimes in the form of spring showers other times in the way of Summer Monsoons.  As a child I remember cutting milk cartons in half to make homemade boats to float down the swollen gutters along the street outside my  house.  I also remember the fresh smell of rain in our crisp mountain air.

As an adult however, heavy rainfall typically means something all together different for me.  I still love the smell of rain in the air and of course my lawn perks up after being quenched by an afternoon shower. But now, especially with the devastation that wildfires have brought to the vegetation and Colorado countryside, I now think of "flash floods."  Flash floods in areas like these can cause dangerous mudslides that can carry away people, cars and even houses.

Flash floods are of course not limited to the areas affected by wildfires.  Heavy rainfall in Colorado cities can quickly overwhelm even the most well maintained city streets.  Low lying areas swiftly become flooded with deep pools and fast moving washes of water.  These murky waters hide many dangers. Hidden culverts and grates over storm drains that were meant to channel water from these very same streets, lay in wait for the unsuspecting passerby to venture too close and become sucked into these death traps with unrelenting force.  This phenomenon is referred to as "Delta P" and has been the cause of many a tragic drowning.  One of the most well known incidence of this was the August 17th 2000 drowning death of Denver Firefighter Robert Crump.

On the evening of August 17th, firefighter Crump was with his crew when he was called to an improvised rescue in the middle of a city street flooded with water.  Firefighter Crump was tragically swallowed up by water on the flooded street as it followed the path of least resistance down a 12 foot culvert.  The weight and velocity of the water compounded to create forces much to strong for any person to fight against.   Firefighter Crump was swept away that day.  Just as dangerous as any other aspect of flash floods, hidden storm drains and culverts shout watch out to anyone who considers wading down city streets that are flooded with rain water.

"How to survive a flood"
Photo from Popular Mechanics Magazine Website

One reason firefighter Crump and his crew were working on these flooded streets were the large number of vehicles littering them.  Drivers are either unaware of the dangers of flooded streets or fail to recognize such a danger prior to reaching the point of no return.  It takes 9 inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet, and less than two feef of water to carry even an SUV off the roadway and down stream to certain danger.

Many Public Safety Announcements (PSA's) have been done portraying the dangers of driving into low lying areas where waters have floodfed the roadway.  One popular safety message is "Turn around don't drown.)  Please take a moment to visit this video and heed it's warning.

Remember these flash flood and water safety tips.

• Never wade on flooded streets.  These muddy waters can hide storm drains and culverts that can sweep you off your feet.
• 9 inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet.
• Turn around, don't drown.
• less than 24 inches of water can float your vehicle from the roadway and downstream to certain danger.

Let's all make it home to enjoy the fresh smell of rain from our porches, and show our kids how to make boats out of milk cartons.

"Luck Favors the Prepared"

Life Jackets Save Lives!

Boating in Colorado... Clear blue skies, Majestic mountain panoramas...

I started this article last night as I looked out at the scene I began to describe above.  I didn't get too far before I was distracted by my two young girls who were playing nearby.  This morning I woke up to finish writing this article and began a quick internet search.  It didn't take long before I came across a tragic accident that occurred last night here in Colorado.  The headline read, "2 Drown, 1 Safe in Loveland Boating Accident."

I realize I am hypersensitive regarding water safety, but how do I instill even a small portion of that sensitivity into others.  I love the outdoors... I love the water.... I realize however, how quickly water can become a dangerous and unforgiving host.  Rarely does anyone set out on an adventure expecting the worst of scenarios to play out before them.  Most often we are excited and overcome with anticipation of what the day holds for us.  For us to act any other way paints us as worriers, over protective or plain not fun. Trust me... I've been labeled all of these and more.  I've also had the unfortunate responsibility to intervene during or after families have found themselves in tragic circumstances.

So, how do we get the message across that when you are boating you need to prepare for the unexpected?  Mario Vittone wrote an article back in December 2011 titled, "Thinking about safety all wrong."  I know Mario and can relate to his perspective.  Mario is a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer... at least for the time being.   He retires this year.  Mario has responded to numerous accidents related to boating in our oceans.  When I've heard him speak of some of his customers approach to the water, rarely was their approach well thought out in regard to preparedness for tragedy.  Most prepared for their day on the water as a brief interlude of relaxation followed by the rest of their lives safe on shore.

As an emergency responder, husband, father and water safety advocate, I'm here to tell you that a lack of sensitivity to the dangers of boating can be devastating.  Not only that, but the ripple from such a tragedy reaches well beyond the boater.  We all know that life jackets give us funny tan lines, make us sweat and are uncomfortable...  Much like bike helmets and seat belts, they are perceived as a nuisance.  But make no mistake, Life Jackets Save Lives!

I've looked into the eyes of a loved one and seen the sheer terror as he fell into the cold waters of a Colorado lake without a life jacket.  Life jackets do no good clipped to the back of the boat seat, or inside the compartment.  Once events change from pleasant to survival, putting on your life jacket is difficult if not impossible and simply too late.

I'm not trying to dampen your adventure, just provide you some insight.  Life Jackets do Save Lives, I've seen it first hand.  Life jackets can only do this if you wear them.  Protect yourself and your loved ones and whenever you are boating, prepare for the unexpected and enjoy many more boat outings in the future.  In the words of Edna Mode from The Incredibles, "Luck favors the prepared."

Wear your Life Jackets and I hope to see you on the water!  Visit the Colorado State Parks Boating Program Home Page for more safety tips.

Tim Woodward

Is Colorado really at risk for drowning?

When people think about drowning, typically they think about pools and the tragic drownings that take place in them or possible the ocean and it's horrible "Rip Currents."  Although the outdoor swimming season in Colorado is shorter than most states, drowning does happen here.  In fact, drowning is the #2 cause of accidental death of children under the age of 14.

In 2011 there were 36 reported drowning deaths in Colorado.  32 of those drownings happened in open waters such as reservoirs, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks and drainages.  If we all took a moment we could all picture in our minds, one of these types of open water areas within only a few blocks from where we are sitting right now reading this blog.  A report from 1997 lists over 66,000 surface acres of water in the state of Colorado alone.

We know Coloradans love their outdoors.  And why shouldn't they?  It's beautiful here!  We boast nearly 300 sunny days on average each year.  The same is true for our young adventurers.  They love the beauty of this state, especially those areas where there is some cool refreshing water to stomp in, wade in or swim in.  These little ones live for the moment and rarely consider consequence.  Water is something to be explored and enjoyed in their little eyes.

Please remember a few rules to keep everyone safe around open water:

1. Wear Lifejackets when in or around water.  Lifejackets save countless lives each year when worn and worn right.
2. Keep Children at arms reach.  We all know these youngsters want to explore everything.  It only takes seconds for a child to slip beneath the water and be gone forever.
3. Swim only in designated areas.  Open waters hide many dangers such as swift current, drop-offs and entanglements.

Water safety is everyones responsibility.  Be an advocate for water safety and follow these simple rules.