Routt County Flooding Information

Navigate this Page:

  1. Prepare before a flood
  2. What to do during a flood
  3. What to do after a flood
  4. Additional preparedness, cleanup, and recovery resources and links to guidance documents

Before a Flood

Prepare your family and your home before flooding begins:

  • Know your flood risk - view flood maps or contact your local Planning Department
  • Obtain flood insurance - get coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program
  • Sign up for Routt County Alerts - The Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radios also provide emergency alerts.
  • Monitor weather and flooding forecasts
  • Prepare a "Go Kit" with Emergency Supplies in case you are told to evacuate:
    • Prescription medication and eyeglasses
    • Infant formula and diapers
    • Pet food, water, and supplies
    • Important family documents: insurance policies, birth certificates, social security number cards, passports, marriage licenses, banking information, property deeds or lease agreements, medical records
    • Cash
    • Personal hygiene items
    • Clothing for each family member
    • Irreplaceable family heirlooms or sentimental items
  • Collect and store supplies necessary to "Shelter in Place" if you are unable to leave your home or would not be able to re-enter due to access issues:
    • In addition to the items above, prepare to have the following for at least three days:
    • Water - one gallon of drinking water, per person, per day
    • Food - non-perishable food and dry goods
    • Flashlights and extra batteries
    • First aid kit
    • Battery powered or hand crank radio and NOAA weather radio
    • Manual can opener and other food preparation tools
    • Sleeping bags or warm blankets
    • Cleaning supplies
    • N95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Prepare or mitigate your property:
    • Install and maintain a working sump pump. Install a battery-operated backup pump in case of power failure
    • Elevate or move furniture, appliances, and valuables
    • Ensure gutters, downspouts, storm drains, ditches, and culverts are free of debris
    • Check your home for water entry points such as crawl spaces, basement windows, basement stairwells, doors, dryer vents and protect them with low walls, temporary shields, or sandbags
    • Seal your foundation or basement walls
    • Install flood vents in a garage or crawl space

During a Flood

Your safety is the highest priority during a flood. To keep yourself and your family safe, we suggest the following tips. Call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

  • Listen to all emergency alerts and messages
  • Evacuate if told to do so. PLAN AHEAD: If you or someone in your family requires additional time to evacuate, you should prepare to evacuate early.
  • Shelter in place if it is unsafe to leave your home. Get to the highest level of your home if floodwaters enter your home.
  • Stay out of floodwaters. Turn around, don't drown!
    • 6 inches of moving water can knock over an adult
    • 12 inches of moving water can carry away a car
    • Water may be deeper than it appears 
    • Floodwaters may be hiding unseen hazards
  • Do not use gas-powered generators, heaters, grills, stoves, or other equipment inside your home
  • Stay away from downed powerlines or electrical wires
  • Shut-off your utilities (if safe to do so) or contact your utility provider to shut them off for you. Have them inspected before you turn them back on.
  • Do not recreate in or near rivers and other bodies of water. Water conditions are rapidly changing and may quickly become dangerous or have unseen hazards
  • If you are outdoors and experience flooding, climb to higher ground immediately
  • Keep your cell phone charged
    • Call 9-1-1 in an emergency or life-threatening situation
    • Understand first responders will be busy and dispatch may be receiving a high volume of calls

After a Flood

Follow these tips for what to do after a flood: 

  • Return home only when authorities say it is safe to do so
  • Avoid direct contact with floodwaters and debris
    • Floodwater may contain hidden hazards that can injure you or may be electrically charged
    • Floodwaters may be contaminated. If you come into contact with floodwater, wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible, and seek medical attention
    • Be aware that animals, rodents, insects, and reptiles can be displaced due to floods and make seek refuge in your home
    • Wear appropriate PPE when entering flooded areas or cleaning
  • Mold and mildew can begin to grow in 24-48 hours and must be dealt with immediately
    • Remove any standing water using pumps or a wet-vac
    • Run fans and dehumidifiers until the area is dry
    • Open any windows, doors, and vents to increase circulation
    • Drywall, insulation, carpeting and other materials that can soak up water should be removed and replaced
    • Follow best practices for cleaning hard, non-porous surfaces
    • You may want to contact a flood remediation company for an assessment or estimate
  • Dispose of items that cannot be disinfected such as wall coverings, cloth and clothing, rugs, drywall and insulation. Dispose of any food that may not have been property stored or thatcan into contact with flood waters.
  • Pay attention to any boil water orders.
  • Teams from your jurisdiction may approach your home to do a structural or damage assessment - work with them to provide needed information about your damages, losses, and costs. Ask for identification before letting someone into your home
  • Document all damages and work completed, take pictures, save your receipts
  • Contact your insurance provider
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Additional Resources