September 2013 Flood – Wallstreet perspective

by davealex

And the rain kept coming…

Destruction on four-mile
Destruction on four-mile
Even the Trouble Department can't fix this
Even the Trouble Department can’t fix this

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.

Jeff's riverside terrace as the water quickly left its banks
Jeff’s riverside terrace as the water quickly left its banks
Looking up Four-Mile Drive at the start of the event
Looking up Four-Mile Drive at the start of the event
Looking up Four-Mile Drive as the water continues to rise
Looking up Four-Mile Drive as the water continues to rise
Looking up Four-Mile, water continues to rise
Looking up Four-Mile, water continues to rise
The rain continues over Wallstreet
The rain continues over Wallstreet
The road became a second streambed
The road became a second streambed
This is one of the few bridges remaining; however it is impassable.
This is one of the few bridges remaining; however it is impassable.
Not quite sure where the road was...
Not quite sure where the road was…
Salina was hit especially hard!
Salina was hit especially hard!
Just an example of the level of the little Four-Mile Creek
Just an example of the level of the little Four-Mile Creek
Water was flowing through this garage
Water was flowing through this garage
This house was also hit hard!
This house was also hit hard!

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.

Rescue coming to Wallstreet
Rescue coming to Wallstreet
I can't image what it must be like to have to leave your home in this way...
I can’t image what it must be like to have to leave your home in this way…

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

Four-Mile Canyon road, or what is left of it
Four-Mile Canyon road, or what is left of it
Lower Salina into Wallstreet was impassable
Lower Salina into Wallstreet was impassable

Looking east from the old Wallstreet Mill
Looking east from the old Wallstreet Mill
Just below Salina on the hike into Wallstreet to start the drying process
Just below Salina on the hike into Wallstreet to start the drying process

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.

Trees are still falling
Trees are still falling
These large trees continue to topple
These large trees continue to topple
During / After shots of Jeff's Terrace
During / After shots of Jeff’s Terrace
The stream takes on a whole new path down the canyon.
The stream takes on a whole new path down the canyon.

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!