And the rain kept coming…

On the night of September 11th the rain started; and continued for 4 days with double the annual rain in just a couple of days for many places along the front range of Colorado, including Boulder and its western gultches that feed Boulder Creek.

My bandmate and pal Jeff Holland lives in Wallstreet on Four-Mile Creek and he and his community were heavily impacted by the flooding.  It’s nearly five weeks later and currently snowing; and the roads are barely passable and most of the residents still have not come home.

Here are some pictures that Jeff took (and a couple of mine as well) of the days of the flooding and aftermath as it unfolded.  I’m narrating from a 3rd party perspective and my words can’t even come close to the stories and nightmare that the residents all over the front range of Colorado have gone (and continue to go) through!  Jeff has asked me to share some of these photos to give a Wallstreet perspective.

Roads were impassable in many places, so the only way to evacuate was via the air.  This was after the rain subsided, 4 days into the event.

It is amazing what a small creek can do, but obviously canyons were forged over time in a very destructive manner.

The event is not over yet; all the erosion and undercutting have left very large trees hanging in the balance.  Trees are falling whenever there is wind; and as winter approaches there will be a lot more tree issues.

Many thanks to the volunteers, donors and organizations that have been helping all the Front Range communities get back on their feet.  There are even many out-of-state crews that are providing assistance which was wonderful to see the kindness of fellow Americans!