Colorado Floods Claim 6 Lives, Thousands Still Unaccounted as Non-Stop Rains Continue

At least six people have died in the floods that ravaged 15 counties in Colorado on Sunday, while the number of unaccounted people have risen to 1,254. Authorities fear the number of fatalities could rise as rains continued to fall.

"Mother Nature is not cooperating with us today, and currently we are not flying. But tomorrow if we get that window of opportunity, which is sounds like we might get, we have the horsepower to hit it hard," Shane Del Grosso, incident commander, told reporters. He explained helicopters were forced to remain on ground because of the heavy clouds and accompanying rain.

"We don't expect to find 1,254 fatalities," Micki Trost, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, was quoted by USA Today.

Figures from the Colorado Office of Emergency Management said at least 1,502 residential structures have been destroyed by the floods, while some 17,494 others were damaged.

Colorado floods a reminder that nature's statistical improbabilities not impossibility. Prayers for those affected. http://t.co/KdL9DNxIWQ

— Sebastian R Diaz (@SebastianRDiaz) September 16, 2013

The floods happening here in colorado are so scary

— ▴BECCA▴ (@paiNiallful) September 16, 2013

Video Source: Youtube/cityoffortcollins

Colorado floods now another one of those pesky one in 500-1000 year events, sheer coincidence with #climate change! http://t.co/8rw38lL8h1

— David Spratt (@djspratt) September 14, 2013

Damage to infrastructure in Boulder County alone has been placed at an estimated $150 million. The floods have destroyed some 100 to 150 miles of roadway and 20 to 30 bridges, according to George Gerstle, county transportation director.

He said the repair bill will soar "10 to 15 times our annual budget."

Video Source: Youtube/ Longmont Flood

@RYOTnews So terrible. Colorado is such a beautiful state, my state. Fires one year, floods this year. Better weather please come this way!

— nicolejanelle (@nicolejanelleb) September 16, 2013