The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 8/1/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Aaron Montoya Near the intersection of Harmony and Timberline streets, Fort Collins resident Kristen Scharf, 17, cannonballs into a large pool formed by the flash flood waters that blanketed the city Thursday night, as Justin Whitehead, 18, gets ready to jump in.

FORT COLLINS - More than 5 inches of rain fell in about 2 1/2 hours southwest of here but authorities reported little damage and no evacuations late Thursday.



Several streets, along with several canals and basements in some home were flooded, said Patrick Love, spokesman for the Poudre Fire Authoritity. While the heaviest rain, 5.3 inches fell about 3 miles southwest of the city, the National Weather Service reported nearly 5 inches of rain fell over the city.



Heavy rains and swollen creek were reported in Weld and Chaffee counties.



On Wednesday, flooding washed out a bridge and a part of a state highway leading to the town of Beulah in southern Colorado.



There's no estimate of when that small portion of Colorado 78, one mile east of the town, will reopen. The only way into and out of Beulah now is taking Colorado 79 to Colorado 165, which is a dirt road that isn't recommended for larger vehicles.



The state transportation department says it's currently looking for a contractor to replace the washed out highway.



Several other county roads in Custer and Pueblo have been flooded or washed out and drivers are advised to verify that the roads they'll be traveling on are open before setting out.

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