ROUTT COUNTY FLOODING INFORMATION

Self-Report your Flooding Damages

Property owners are encouraged to complete a Property Damage Self-Assessment if their property is impacted by the flooding that we are currently experiencing across Routt County. The information submitted will be reviewed by County officials to understand the extent of the damages, identify trends, and determine next steps. You can complete the self-assessment for your property here. 

NOTE: You will only be able to complete the assessment once and will not be able to edit or make changes after you submit. If you have any questions or need to update your submission, contact info@co.routt.co.us or call 970-871-8444. 

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Submit Flooding Photos and Observations

Use this site to submit images of flooded areas or areas of concern. We will monitor the submitted photos and will respond to these locations as needed. Some examples of what we are looking for are:

  • Flooded areas
  • Blocked culverts
  • Debris or trees stuck on bridges or in waterways

If your cell phone does not have location services turned on, please submit an address or approximate GPS location with your photos. Dial 9-1-1 if you observe a life-threatening or emergency situation.

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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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Sandbag Stations

As of May 22, 2023, sandbag stations are available at the following locations.

Steamboat Springs - bring your own sandbags to fill

  • Crawford & Pahwintah
  • Honey Suckle Lane
  • 9th & Pine
  • Meadowood Lane
  • Pamela Lane
  • Stone Lane

Oak Creek - contact Oak Creek Town Hall or Public Works for sandbags

  • Nancy Crawford Boulevard across from Town Hall
  • Moffat Avenue next to the Historical Society building

Clark - bring your own sandbags to fill

  • North Routt Fire Station #1 - 54545 Co Rd 129, Clark, CO 80428 (next to the Clark Store)

Road Closures & Alternate Routes

Current Road Closures in Routt County

Here are directions and maps in case Highway 40 is closed between Steamboat Springs and Craig:

Routt County is seeing localized flooding impacts due to warming temperatures, increasing precipitation, and melting snowpack. For the most up to date information, register for RouttCountyAlerts and follow us on Facebook.

The alternate routes published above are only suitable for passenger vehicles and may become impassable due to weather or other factors at any time. There is limited cellular and GPS service in these areas. All motorists are advised to use extreme caution on these alternate routes, as spring weather conditions may impact road conditions and increased traffic may be present.

Additional Resources

Please read this important letter from Routt County Emergency Management: