Poudre Canyon
Crews recover woman killed in flood, identify third missing
Crews recovered the body of the adult woman killed during the flooding in Poudre Canyon and have identified a third person who is currently missing.
According to a report from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, crews recovered the body during search and rescue efforts throughout Wednesday. The woman’s identity has not yet been released, and authorities did not release information about where she was in the canyon when the floods hit.
Crews have been unable to locate two adult males reported missing Tuesday night and deputies also identified another adult female who is currently missing.
Flash flood warnings hit the canyon Tuesday night, causing a flurry of evacuations. The rush of water caused mudslides that destroyed several structures, damaged the roadway, and led to black water in the river at the base of the canyon.
Throughout the day Wednesday, crews worked to locate missing people and assess the damage. At the same time, many returned to the homes or campsites they were forced to flee the night before.
While many were able to return up the canyon late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the effects on the Cache la Poudre could be seen far down to the bottom of the canyon where the water ran black.
The water conditions led the Sheriff’s Office to order the closure of the river from the Fish Hatchery to the mouth of the canyon, about 40 miles of the length of the river. The river closure is expected to stay in place through the weekend.
Jennell Conley, store manager at Ted’s Place, said that while she was not at the gas station at the mouth of the canyon last night, she has heard from many canyon regulars of how they had to evacuate. She said many told her they saw flood waters carrying away pieces of houses as they left Tuesday night.
She also said that some even pitched tents in the gas station parking lot overnight and were able to head back up early Wednesday morning.
Greeley resident Steve Robben and his family were camping at
the Mountain Park campground when they got the call to evacuate. He, his wife and family members visiting from Kansas had to leave their stuff behind and get out of the canyon, Robben described.
“We looked at the river and it was logs and wood, and then part of a house went by,” he said while preparing to head back up the canyon Wednesday morning.
Damage assessments are ongoing in the area, and while Colorado14 has been opened for traffic, the Poudre River will remain closed until further notice. The release said the Sheriff’s Office will continue to assess the conditions of the river and will open as soon as it is safe.
Updates will be posted on the Sheriff’s Office social media pages, and community members can sign up for text notifications by sending LCEVAC or FLOOD2021 to 888777 or visit nocoalert.org.