Buckhorn Canyon flooding updates: Dangerous floodwaters hit west of Fort Collins

Fort Collins Coloradoan

Dangerous flooding rushed through Buckhorn Canyon on Friday night, killing two people and destroying a house.

As of a sheriff's office alert that came just prior to 6 p.m. Friday, the most dangerous flooding was actively happening in the area of Crystal Mountain to Wild Song.

"Immediately reach higher ground by any means necessary," the sheriff's office said. "Avoid area(s) subject to flooding including dips."

A flash flood warning that had been issued for the area Friday evening expired. As of just prior to 9 p.m., a flood advisory was in effect for the eastern Cameron Peak Fire burn scar until 11:30 p.m.

Here are the latest updates:

Authorities clarify housing damage from flood

Damage assessment teams with local authorities determined that one home was destroyed, another was moderately damaged outbuilding and five received only minor damage, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office shared Saturday at 6 p.m.

LCSO said debris operators were also and still in the vicinity conducting assessments, though debris operations won't start until Monday morning.

County Road 44H in the area remains closed to emergency vehicles only.

- Chris Abshire

Flood damage help can be found here

Crews remain in the area working on road repairs to Larimer County Road 44H, which is open for emergency access only at this time.

If you experienced damage to your property due to Friday's flash flood in the Buckhorn area, call (970) 619-4905. To sign up for flood alerts that can impact the burn scar in Larimer County text the word FLOOD2022 to 888777.

- Miles Blumhardt

Roosevelt National Forest temporarily closes area near Buckhorn flood

Following the fatal flooding event Friday in the Buckhorn area, Roosevelt National Forest announced a temporary area closure on all National Forest lands between Buckhorn, Glen Haven and the junction of Buckhorn Road and US Highway 34. A small team with the National Forest is assessing damage on national forest lands and supporting Larimer County in flood recovery.

"Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic event," RNF supervisor Monte Williams said. “This closure will remain in place while the team assesses the damage and assists with immediate flood recovery needs.”

More rain has continued in the mountains and foothills Saturday. The National Weather Service in Boulder also announced a flash flood warning for the southeast portion of the East Troublesome Fire burn scar between Granby and Grand Lake west of Rocky Mountain National Park until at least 4:15 p.m. Saturday.

- Chris Abshire

Part of County Road 44 closed due to flood damage

County Road 44H is closed from County Road 27 to County Road 63E due to the road being damaged by flash flooding, the Larimer County Sherriff's Office said at 11 a.m. Saturday. LCSO also recommended any travelers, hikers or residents in the nearby areas use extreme caution.

Per LSCO, crews are working on damage assessment and restoration to CR 44H, though afternoon rain is expected today with scattered storms over the burn scar, which could delay efforts. Please use caution if you are traveling through any area impacted by the major 2020 fires in Northern Colorado. - Chris Abshire

Inch of rain falls on on Cameron Peak burn scare

The area where a flash flood killed two people in Larimer County on Friday received nearly an inch of rain in a short period of time, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.

Weather service meteorologist Frank Cooper said a gauge 3 to 4 miles northwest of Crystal Mountain received .91 inches of rain with .67 inches of that coming from 5 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. He said radar estimated higher amounts of rain in the area that includes the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar.

"The threshold for flash flooding is pretty low up there because of the soils in the burn scar,'' Cooper said. "One to two inches of rain in an hour is plenty sufficient to cause problems.''

- Miles Blumhardt

Two killed in Buckhorn Canyon flooding

Two people were killed and a house was destroyed during the flash flood in Buckhorn Canyon on Friday.

Multiple reports of flash flooding in the Crystal Mountain and Glen Haven areas started coming in shortly before 5 p.m., Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokesperson David Moore said.

Included in those calls was a report of a camping trailer that had been washed away in the upper-to-middle section of the canyon with an adult woman and a female child inside. Crews immediately started searching for them, and both were found dead about 7:30 p.m., Moore said.

— Sady Swanson

Buckhorn Road closed

Larimer County Road 44H (Buckhorn Road) remains closed as of 10:15 p.m. The county's Joint Information Center is now closed "unless conditions change," according an update from Larimer County Sheriff's Office. A Coloradoan reporter observed a roadblock at Larimer County Road 27 and Buckhorn Road.

— Sarah Kyle and Sady Swanson

Flood advisory in effect for Cameron Peak Fire burn scar until 11:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Boulder announced that a flood advisory is in effect until 11:30 p.m. The advisory includes the eastern portion of the Cameron Peak Fire burn scar, according to a weather service tweet.

"A surge of water will move down Buckhorn Creek pas(t) Masonville to the confluence with the Big Thompson River this evening," the weather service tweeted. "Minor flooding is expected, along with possible damage to roads adjacent to the creek."

— Sarah Kyle

Where to find Larimer County flood information

Larimer County has opened a Joint Information Center to help provide information on Friday's flash flooding. The center can be reached at 970-980-2500. You can also visit larimer.gov/lc-flooding, which includes the below map and a thread of social media related to the incident. The sheriff's office will continue sharing updates on its Twitter account @larimersheriff, it said.

To get updates via text, text the keyword Flood2022 to 888777.

— Sarah Kyle

Red Cross opens evacuation center in Fort Collins, county opens information center

An American Red Cross evacuation center has opened at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Road in Fort Collins, the sheriff's office tweeted.

Those with pets who are unable to return home due to flash flooding Friday can call Larimer Humane Society, 970-226-3647 ext. 7. "We are available to house your pet," the humane society said on social media.

— Sarah Kyle

'Multiple locations' have reported flooding in Buckhorn area

About 6:30 p.m. Friday, the sheriff's office tweeted it was "responding to multiple locations" with reported flooding in the Buckhorn area.

— Sarah Kyle

Larimer County weatherFlash flood warning issued for Larimer County Friday afternoon

'Dangerous flooding' affects area of Crystal Mountain to Wild Song

As of a sheriff's office alert that came just prior to 6 p.m. Friday, the most dangerous flooding was actively happening in the area of Crystal Mountain to Wild Song.

"Immediately reach higher ground by any means necessary," the sheriff's office said. "Avoid area(s) subject to flooding including dips."

A flash flood warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. for the southeast portion of the Cameron Peak Fire burn area.