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Flood Safety

Before the flood

  • When Moving to a new area, check with the local floodplain manager to see if you are in an area susceptible to flooding.
  • Keep a stock of food which requires little cooking and no refrigeration. Regular gas and electric service may be disrupted.
  • Keep a portable radio, batteries, emergency cooking equipment, and flashlights in working order with additional batteries.
  • Keep first aid supplies and any medicines needed by members of your family on hand.
  • Keep your automobile fueled. If electric power is cut off, gasoline stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.
  • If you live in an area subject to flooding, keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber handy for emergency levee construction.
  • Store drinking water in closed, clean containers. Water service may be interrupted.
  • If flooding is likely and time permits, move essential items and furniture to upper floors of your house. Disconnect any electrical appliances that can't be moved - but don't touch them if you are wet or standing in water.

National Flood Insurance Program

Prepare for flooding

Children

Flood Safety - Coloring Page

Disaster and Emergency Planning

Flood Safety - Checklist

Flood Safety - Create your Family Emergency Communications Plan

Flood Safety - Family Disaster Plan Instructions (English Version) - American Red Cross

Flood Safety - Family Disaster Plan Instructions (Espanol Version) - American Red Cross

Flood Safety - Family Disaster Plan Template (English Version) - American Red Cross

Flood Safety - Family Disaster Plan Template (Espanol Version) - American Red Cross

Flood Safety - Mesa County Emergency Plan

Evacuation

If you are warned to evacuate your home and move to another location temporarily, there are certain things to remember to do.

Most important ones to remember

  • Follow the Instructions and Advice of Your Local Government. If you are told to evacuate, do so promptly.
  • If you are instructed to go to a certain location, go there - DON'T go anywhere else.
  • If certain travel routes are specified or recommended, use those routes rather than trying to find short cuts of your own.
  • If you are advised to shut off your water, gas, or electric service before leaving home, do so.
  • Also, find out on the radio where emergency housing and mass feeding stations are located, in case you need to use them.
  • Keep tuned to your radio or television station for advice and instructions from local government on where to obtain medical care, where to get assistance for such necessities as housing, clothing, and food, and how to help yourself and the community to recover.

Flood warning system

National Weather Service

Issues three types of flash flood warnings

  • Flash Flood Watch
    • Means that heavy rains occurring or expected to occur may soon cause flash flooding in certain areas.
    • Citizens should be alert to the possibility of a flood emergency, which will require immediate action.
  • Flash Flood Warnings
  • Small Stream and Urban Flood Advisory

National Weather Service and Regional Weather Service River Forecast Centers

Issue Flood Forecasts and Warnings

  • Rainfall is enough to cause rivers to overflow their banks.
  • Melting snow combines with rainfall to produce flooding.

Flood warnings are forecasts of impending floods

  • Given to you by radio, television, and local government through the Office of Emergency Management and by the National Weather Service.
  • The warning message tells the expected severity of flooding (minor, moderate or major), the affected river or stream, and when and where the flooding will begin.
  • Careful preparation and prompt response will assure personal safety and reduce property loss.

Additional resources

Local flood hazard

  • The Colorado River is a high risk flood area near Grand Junction and along interstate 70 from Rulison to DeBeque.
  • Flooding of the Colorado River also threatens Fruita, Mack, and Cameo.
  • Flooding of Plateau Creek and Buzzard Creek threatens the towns of Collbran, Plateau City, Molina, and Mesa.
  • There is also the potential for flash flooding on many of the smaller streams located in Mesa County, which include Buzzard Creek, West Creek, Roan Creek, and Mesa Creek.
  • Those areas potentially impacted are listed above and include Unaweep Canyon, Colorado National Monument area down into the Redlands, John Brown Canyon, No Thoroughfare Canyon and Lamplite park.

There are a number of dams located in Mesa County: thirty-five Class II and fifteen Class I.

Class I dams

  • Big Creek #3 (Y)
  • Bonham-Wells (Y)
  • Cottonwood #1 (Y)
  • Cottonwood #2 (Y)
  • Cottonwood #4 (Y)
  • Cottonwood #5 (Y)
  • Hallenbeck #1 (Y)
  • Indian Wash Detention (Y)
  • Jerry Creek #2 (Y)
  • Junita (Y), on Lake (Y)
  • Parker Basin #1 (Y)
  • Parker Basin #3 (Y)
  • Upper Highland (N), Vega (Y).  

Dam Failure Results

  • A failure of Vega Reservoir (Class I) would inundate ranches from the base of the dam through the town of Collbran.
  • Failure of Granby Dam, located in Grand County, would inundate Interstate 70 and U.S. 6 & 24 from DeBeque to Palisade.
  • Failure of the Dillon Dam, in Summit County, would inundate the same areas.

Visit our Interactive Floodplain Map to view the Floodplain areas.

Local regulations

Mesa County Land Development Code requires all developments in a FEMA Regulatory Floodplain to obtain a floodplain development permit.

Forms - Floodplain Development Permit