Quote Originally Posted by hatidua View Post
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.