Boulder County and the floods

[Singlestack]

Just thought I would post an update with what is going on up here with the disaster stuff. I was called out to the Boulder EOC early Friday AM to work net control and packet radio for the disaster comms between the evac centers and EOC. Turns out that cell comms were down in some of the mountain towns, and the best info anyone had was, for example, between Pinewood springs and Allenspark hams and the EOC.

Here is what the situation room at the EOC looked like Friday morning:


Each desk is a different function, such as transportation, press, community relations, etc. There were tons of cops from all jurisdictions coming and going all day.
Here is what the BCARES radio area looks like:


We were mostly using the 146.760 net for voice and a packet net for data comms - both could be really busy at times.
There are also some cameras we have on the Boulder Airport flight line - where all of the CH-47s and Blackhawks are bringing in evacuees. From there, they are bused to the evac shelters. I worked an evac shelter Saturday and Monday - lots of help there and lots of food/water, but sad to see people in this predicament.
Tomorrow, several members are going out with Red Cross to do damage assessment, using their mobile rigs. I'd like to go, but don't have the rig and antenna.
Amazing how many people they have mobilized for this!

[streetglideok]

Pretty amazing how quick they can mobilize and get into action. Depending on your staffing up there, they are making lists of people to help supplement your rosters from region 2.

[Singlestack]

Yup, think I met a few of them already

[zzzippper]

I work with a number of USAF officers, mostly junior grade. One of them said that he is part of a group of 50 volunteers who mobilized Saturday morning for SAR. They flew to Boulder ready to help but they were told FEMA was in charge and they couldn't do anything. They sat on the tarmac for 12 hours before going home. It is amazing what has been done. It is also amazing what could be done.

[JohnTRourke]

as a on the ground "victim" let me tell that FEMA is fucking worthless.

FEMA is there to ensure GOVERNMENTS get their money, they don't give a shit about the people

the government (at pretty much all levels) has been more of a hindrance than a help since day 1 (no warning).

Without volunteers and church's, most all of us would be fucked.

[hatidua]

FEMA is fucking worthless

That pretty much covers it. I've watched them here on my street and I'm beginning to think being a FEMA employee is a rather cushy job...

[GrumpyMedic]

That pretty much covers it. I've watched them here on my street and I'm beginning to think being a FEMA employee is a rather cushy job...

I was in Estes Park when FEMA showed up, they sent US&R teams, who specialize in building searches and whatnot, those folks just didn't have a mission. They deployed to a flood with no personal flotation devices (life jackets) and are not allowed to operate in or near water without them. We had to shuttle them across 1/2" high water running over a road so they could stand around for 8 hours and watch the fire department shuttle folks out of little valley on ATVs.

The number one contributor to rescue and recovery up there were the local volunteer Fire fighters, the volunteer search and rescue teams from Larimer County and the regular citizens helping each other out.

As this is in the preparedness forum, I will say that the best advice I can give after spending 7 days on flood recovery is to have at least a month of any meds stored up, have a "bug out bag" with clothes, a bit of food and all your important papers ready to go at all times, and have a good method for transporting any pets you have (carriers for cats, muzzles and harnesses for dogs). Rolling suitcases are worthless if you need to hike out 3 miles from your house to a drivable road.

if you winterize a seasonal home, have all the stuff to do it on hand, people having to hike in and out of pinewood springs carrying antifreeze and whatnot was really tough to see.

[streetglideok]

Its the locals that make a recovery, and rescue successful. If you look at the road to recovery in Oklahoma after major twisters rip thru, they handle their stuff themselves. Yeah Fema shows up and makes their presence known(they have to make it look good to get more money), but its the locals who work the radios, search for survivors, help clean up, do fund raisers, and move on. Places like New Orleans, and New England, which live on the gov't tit, they are still struggling to get back on their feet, after how many years? We either lay around and feel sorry for ourselves, or we put our boots on and help our neighbors. Luckily for some of our friends up north, we haven't laid around. Mind you, you guys survived a 1000 year flood. Nothing in the books for it to compare to. If you guys need anything, post on here or wherever appropriate, I know members on here will help.

[Singlestack]

^^^ +1. This. The volunteers neighbors, friends, and churches are doing the heavily lifting of recovery.

[Wulf202]

What do you have to say about red cross?