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Saturday
December 30th - FLASHBACK: Monday July 31st - Big Thompson Flood 30th
Anniversary....
Today marks the
30th anniversary of the dreadful summer day when heavy afternoon rains sent a raging torrent of
water down the Big Thompson Canyon killing 139
people, causing millions of dollars in damage and
resulting in the worst natural disaster in
Colorado history.
As people along the
Big Thompson River fished and enjoyed what
appeared a beautiful summer day, a stalled
thunderstorm upstream was rapidly dropping months
worth of rain in a few short hours. By evening,
this rain would swell local streams feeding the
Big Thompson, sending a 14 foot wall of
devastation down the Big Thompson Canyon.
Homes were washed
away along with the residents in them. Survivors speak
of seeing the headlights of automobiles bobbing
under the surface of the raging river, some with
occupants still inside. Highway 34 was completely
washed away in many places leaving motorists stranded
on precarious outcrops dangerously close to the
raging flood waters. By the end of the day, 139
people would have lost their lives in this
mountain tragedy. The bodies of six others would
never be found.
 During
the initial stages of the flood a Colorado State
Patrolman, Sergeant W. Hugh Purdy, and an Estes
Park officer, Michel O. Conley, frantically traveled the dangerous
roadways warning residents and visitors of the
impending danger. Some reportedly laughed at the
officers' warnings and were swept away in the
flood. The officers themselves made the ultimate sacrifice,
losing their own lives in their dedication to
saving others. A memorial stands today in honor of
these brave law enforcement officers whose selfless efforts saved
many from certain death.
A
"High-Water" marker will be dedicated
today at the location of the old power plant which
was washed away in the flood. Only the turbines
remained. Memorials and remembrances are also
scheduled at the Big Thompson Community Building,
near the flood memorial markers along Highway 34,
one mile east of Drake.
The Loveland
Reporter-Herald is running an excellent series
on the "1976 Big Thompson Flood",
including several interactive online
presentations. This superb documentation of the
tragic event can be viewed by clicking the link
below.
Other
Big Thompson Flood Links
Fort
Collins Coloradoan
Online Flood Presentation
1976
Big Thompson Flood Memorial
Big
Thompson Canyon - Larimerco.com
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