1976 Big Thompson River flood

1976 flood in Colorado File:1976 Big Thompson Flood Memorial.jpg A memorial containing a list of people killed in the flood July 31, 1976 Heavy rains Flood atl >250 144 5 <$150 million (2016 USD) 418 Big Thompson River, north central Colorado On July 31, 1976, heavy rainfall caused the Big Thompson River in Colorado to flood, causing at least 144 deaths, more than 250 injuries, and at least 5 others to be missing. The flood was caused by a stalled thunderstorm complex that produced rainfall totals of 12-14 in mm near Estes Park, Colorado, including 7.5 in mm of rain that fell in one hour. Cresting at 30 ft m, the flood caused widespread damage along the river totaling almost $40 million ($150 million in 2016 USD). It is considered one of the deadliest floods in the state's history. Background The Big Thompson River is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 78 mi km long, in the U.S. state of Colorado.Taylor Jack May 30, 2018 Remembering The Big Thompson Canyon Flood https://kekbfm.com/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood/ January 18, 2024 KEKB (FM) en January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118000749/https://kekbfm.com/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood/ live Originating in Forest Canyon in Rocky Mountain National Park, the river flows into Lake Estes in the town of Estes Park, and then through Big Thompson Canyon.Rocky Mountain National Park: Geologic Resource Evaluation Report https://home.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/upload/romo_geo_overview.pdf January 18, 2024 National Park Service 5–6 January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118000749/https://home.nps.gov/romo/learn/management/upload/romo_geo_overview.pdf dead Before the flood, 600 people lived in Big Thompson Canyon.Gruntfest Eve C. August 1977 What people did during the Big Thompson flood https://hazards.colorado.edu/uploads/workingpaper/wp32.pdf Institute of Behavioral Science University of Colorado hazards.colorado.edu 2024-01-20 2023-08-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20230802011217/https://hazards.colorado.edu/uploads/workingpaper/wp32.pdf live In addition, between 2,500 and 3,500 people were there on July 31 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Colorado's statehood on August 1.Whitley Morgan August 1, 2023 Photos: 47 years ago, 144 died in one of Colorado's deadliest natural disasters https://kdvr.com/news/local/big-thompson-flood-1976-colorado/ January 18, 2024 KDVR en-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118022950/https://kdvr.com/news/local/big-thompson-flood-1976-colorado/ live Floods in Colorado https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-states-co January 18, 2024 National Weather Service EN-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118022949/https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-states-co live Meteorological synopsis On July 31, a thunderstorm complex developed alongside the Front Range of the southern Rocky Mountains near Estes Park.Caracena Fernando Chappell Charles F. Hoxit L. Ray Maddox Robert A. January 1979 Mesoanalysis of the Big Thompson Storm https://www.atmos.albany.edu/student/abentley/mapdisco/20130920/images/map/Caracena%20et%20al.%20(1979).pdf Monthly Weather Review 107 1 1 10.1175/1520-0493(1979)107<0001:MOTBTS>2.0.CO;2 1979MWRv..107....1C 1520-0493 January 17, 2024 January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118024013/https://www.atmos.albany.edu/student/abentley/mapdisco/20130920/images/map/Caracena%20et%20al.%20(1979).pdf live July 31, 2015 Colorado Remembers Victims 39 Years After Big Thompson Flood https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-remembers-victims-39-years-after-big-thompson-flood/ January 18, 2024 CBS Colorado en-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118033148/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-remembers-victims-39-years-after-big-thompson-flood/ live The development was caused by a number of meteorological factors, including a shortwave trough, a polar front that moved across southeastern Colorado with the main polar airmass northeast of the Front Range, and moisture and unstable air behind a cold front extending across the Big Thompson River valley. Upper-atmospheric light winds caused the thunderstorm complex to remain stationary, which produced heavy rainfall across portions of the Big Thompson Canyon, including up to 7.5 in mm of rain falling in one hour.Jarrett R. D. Vandas S. J. July 2006 1976 Big Thompson Flood, Colorado https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2006/35/ January 18, 2024 United States Geological Survey January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118025841/https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/2006/35/ live Over four hours near Estes Park, 12-14 in mm of rain fell, causing the Big Thompson River to overflow its banks and triggering a flood surge that moved along the river and into Big Thompson Canyon.Crow Albright 2021 35McLain Jerald F. Shroba R. R. 1979 Storm and flood of July 31-August 1, 1976, in the Big Thompson River and Cache la Poudre River basins, Larimer and Weld Counties, Colorado https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/pp1115AB United States Geological Survey 16 10.3133/pp1115AB 1979usgs.rept...16M January 19, 2024 January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119022234/https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/pp1115AB live Persons David July 29, 2016 Special report: Memories of '76 flood haven't dimmed for many https://www.eptrail.com/ci_30180713/memories-76-flood-havent-dimmed-many-featured-todays/ January 19, 2024 Estes Park Trail-Gazette en-US July 30, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160730155305/http://www.eptrail.com/ci_30180713/memories-76-flood-havent-dimmed-many-featured-todays live The flood moved at an average speed of 15 mph km/h, and crested at 30 ft m.Meissner John February 24, 2021 100 YEARS MAGAZINE: 1976, 1982 floods wreaked havoc on Estes Park https://www.eptrail.com/2021/02/24/100-years-magazine-1976-1982-floods-wreaked-havoc-on-estes-park/ January 19, 2024 Estes Park Trail-Gazette en-US January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119025524/https://www.eptrail.com/2021/02/24/100-years-magazine-1976-1982-floods-wreaked-havoc-on-estes-park/ live A flash flood warning was issued at 23:00 CDT, but the timing of this was criticized because it was issued several hours after the floods began.Garrison Robert July 31, 2022 Remembering the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flood https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/remembering-the-1976-big-thompson-flood January 19, 2024 KMGH en January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119022234/https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/remembering-the-1976-big-thompson-flood live Impact and aftermath A portion of U.S. Route 34 was washed out by floodwaters,Anastasio Jeff October 9, 2023 How the historic Big Thompson Canyon flood of 1976 unfolded on Denver7 News https://www.denver7.com/about/70-years-of-denver7/how-the-historic-big-thompson-canyon-flood-of-1976-unfolded-on-denver7-news January 18, 2024 KMGH en January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118032108/https://www.denver7.com/about/70-years-of-denver7/how-the-historic-big-thompson-canyon-flood-of-1976-unfolded-on-denver7-news live sustaining significant damage as visibility on the highway dropped to zero miles.March 21, 2017 Highway 34 To Reopen As Scheduled https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/highway-34-to-reopen-as-scheduled/ January 18, 2024 CBS Colorado en-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118132534/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/highway-34-to-reopen-as-scheduled/ live Vendegna Michelle August 1, 2016 40 years after Big Thompson Flood: Memories remain decades after tragedy https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/01/40-years-after-big-thompson-flood/ January 19, 2024 The Denver Post Loveland Reporter-Herald en-US January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119030445/https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/01/40-years-after-big-thompson-flood/ live The flood impacted most of Cedar Cove, Drake, and Midway, and causing extensive damage to buildings in Glen Haven. The floods caused more than $40 million in damage in 1976 USD, equivalent to nearly $150 million in 2016 USD,Pohl Jason August 6, 2016 40 years later: Scores killed in Big Thompson Flood https://apnews.com/6d939fceba704b12ba5b5baad19d6b56 January 19, 2024 Associated Press en-US January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119032437/https://apnews.com/6d939fceba704b12ba5b5baad19d6b56 live including 418 homes, more than 400 vehicles, and 152 businesses being destroyed, along with a further 138 buildings damaged.Spears Chris July 29, 2016 Sunday Marks 40th Anniversary Of Big Thompson Flood https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/sunday-marks-40th-anniversary-of-big-thompson-flood/ January 18, 2024 CBS Colorado en-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118032835/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/sunday-marks-40th-anniversary-of-big-thompson-flood/ live The flood swept people as far east as Interstate 25 and areas 25 mi km away.Whaley Monte July 29, 2006 Big Thompson Flood 30 years later https://www.denverpost.com/2006/07/29/big-thompson-flood-30-years-later/ January 20, 2024 The Denver Post en-US January 20, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240120023914/https://www.denverpost.com/2006/07/29/big-thompson-flood-30-years-later/ live Mudslides caused by heavy rainfall also closed Poudre Canyon.Seelmeyer John August 2, 1976 Mudslides close Poudre Canyon https://www.newspapers.com/article/greeley-daily-tribune-1976-flash-flood-b/109001/ January 19, 2024 Greeley Daily Tribune 1 January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119182556/https://www.newspapers.com/article/greeley-daily-tribune-1976-flash-flood-b/109001/ live It is considered one of the deadliest floods in the history of Colorado, causing at least 144 deaths and 250 injuries, along with at least 5 missing.July 29, 2015 Remembering Big Thompson flood, 39 years later https://www.cbs8.com/article/weather/remembering-big-thompson-flood-39-years-later/73-130237511 January 18, 2024 KFMB-TV en-US January 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075710/https://www.cbs8.com/article/weather/remembering-big-thompson-flood-39-years-later/73-130237511 live Sallinger Marc August 10, 2023 One of Colorado's deadliest disasters was 47 years ago https://www.9news.com/article/weather/weather-colorado/big-thompson-flood/73-fa640fd5-0bab-43c7-8252-7f4f3f386f9f January 17, 2024 KUSA en-US January 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075711/https://www.9news.com/article/weather/weather-colorado/big-thompson-flood/73-fa640fd5-0bab-43c7-8252-7f4f3f386f9f live McKee Spencer July 2, 2021 Remembering the Big Thompson Canyon flood, Colorado's deadliest natural disaster https://denvergazette.com/outtherecolorado/features/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood-colorado-s-deadliest-natural-disaster/article_ca21de01-c4d4-5588-bd55-d0bcd041fe94.html January 17, 2024 Out There Colorado en January 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240117235708/https://denvergazette.com/outtherecolorado/features/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood-colorado-s-deadliest-natural-disaster/article_ca21de01-c4d4-5588-bd55-d0bcd041fe94.html live On August 1, over 800 people were evacuated from flood-impacted areas via helicopter,Jarrett Robert D. Costa John E. 2006 1976 Big Thompson Flood, Colorado—Thirty Years Later https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3095/ January 19, 2024 United States Geological Survey January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119025523/https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3095/ live and were taken to a high school in Loveland, Colorado that was established as a rescue center by the American Red Cross.Lichtenstein Grace August 2, 1976 65 Killed as Rains Flood Colorado Recreation Area https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/02/archives/65-killed-as-rains-flood-colorado-recreation-area-survivors-sought.html January 19, 2024 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119141531/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/02/archives/65-killed-as-rains-flood-colorado-recreation-area-survivors-sought.html live U.S. Route 34 was reopened 86 days after it was closed after portions of the highway were washed out.Mathews Zane March 21, 2023 Remembering Colorado's Devastating Big Thompson Flood 1976 https://kool1079.com/big-thompson-flood-1976/ January 19, 2024 KBKL en January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119031419/https://kool1079.com/big-thompson-flood-1976/ live United States President Gerald Ford designated Larimer County, Colorado a disaster area.July 31, 2014 Big Thompson Flood Remembered 38 Years Later https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/big-thompson-flood-remembered-38-years-later/ January 18, 2024 CBS Colorado en-US January 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118032835/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/big-thompson-flood-remembered-38-years-later/ live For 25 years after the flood, until 2001, a ceremony was held annually to remember the disaster.Vendegna Michelle August 1, 2017 Community gathers to remember 1976 Big Thompson flood https://www.reporterherald.com/ci_31184398/community-gathers-remember-1976-big-thompson-flood/ January 19, 2024 Loveland Reporter-Herald en-US January 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075759/https://www.reporterherald.com/2017/08/01/community-gathers-to-remember-1976-big-thompson-flood/ live McKee Spencer July 3, 2021 Remembering the Big Thompson Canyon flood https://gazette.com/denver-gazette/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood/article_6081df3a-dc26-11eb-a4b8-c37a6ce23a59.html January 19, 2024 Colorado Springs Gazette en January 19, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240119032438/https://gazette.com/denver-gazette/remembering-the-big-thompson-canyon-flood/article_6081df3a-dc26-11eb-a4b8-c37a6ce23a59.html live It was held at a memorial constructed off U.S. Route 34, several miles from Drake, containing a list of people killed during the flood; this memorial was constructed in 1978, two years after the tragedy.De Leon Luis July 31, 2021 Remembering the Big Thompson Canyon Flood, 45 years later https://www.9news.com/article/news/history/remembering-big-thompson-canyon-flood-45-years-later/73-7bf9f144-aabd-41c6-a75c-a307eb33ea46 January 19, 2024 KUSA en-US January 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075822/https://www.9news.com/article/news/history/remembering-big-thompson-canyon-flood-45-years-later/73-7bf9f144-aabd-41c6-a75c-a307eb33ea46 live In popular culture 200px|right|thumb|Memorial dedicated to Colorado State Patrolman W. Hugh Purdy and Estes Park Patrolman Michel O. Conley erected on July 31, 1978 in Big Thompson Canyon (May 27, 2025) The Colorado country music singer Chuck Pyle wrote a song titled "Here Comes the Water" celebrating the actions of Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Willis Hugh Purdy, who raced the flood down the canyon warning residents.Dukakis Andrea How A Chuck Pyle Song Captured The Terror Of Big Thompson's Floodwaters https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/how-a-chuck-pyle-song-captured-the-terror-of-big-thompsons-floodwaters/ Colorado Public Radio 28 January 2024 en 29 July 2016 28 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075719/https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/how-a-chuck-pyle-song-captured-the-terror-of-big-thompsons-floodwaters/ live Pohl Jason 40 years later: Scores killed in Big Thompson Flood https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2016/07/29/big-thompson-flood-killed-scores/87524858/ 28 January 2024 Fort Collins Coloradoan 29 July 2016 en 28 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240128075713/https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2016/07/29/big-thompson-flood-killed-scores/87524858/ live On October 2, 2016, an episode of Colorado Experience premiered on PBS regarding the disaster.Colorado Experience Big Thompson Flood Season 4 Episode 1 https://www.pbs.org/video/colorado-experience-big-thompson-flood/ 2024-01-18 en 2024-01-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20240118200415/https://www.pbs.org/video/colorado-experience-big-thompson-flood/ live October 11, 2016 CSU Graduate Will Wright appears on "Colorado Experience: Big Thompson Flood" https://history.colostate.edu/2016/10/csu-graduate-will-wright-appears-colorado-experience-big-thompson-flood/ January 20, 2024 Colorado State University en-US January 20, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240120024409/https://history.colostate.edu/2016/10/csu-graduate-will-wright-appears-colorado-experience-big-thompson-flood/ live See also Floods in the United States (1900–1999) References Sources Crow Deserai A. Albright Elizabeth A. Community Disaster Recovery: Moving from Vulnerability to Resilience Cambridge University Press 2021 978-1-316-51164-0 https://books.google.com/books?id=JGlHEAAAQBAJ January 19, 2024 Category:1976 in Colorado Category:July 1976 in the United States Category:Natural disasters in Colorado Category:1970s floods in the United States Category:Flash floods