Preparedness Being prepared is perhaps the most important step you and your family can take to get through, and possibly even survive, emergencies and disasters. Preparedness means not only having the appropriate gear and supplies necessary to cope with emergencies, but also having a plan for your family to follow in these situations. An important component of this plan should be how family members would communicate, keeping in mind that in some circumstances, regular phone service and cell phone service may be unavailable.

Teocalli Photo courtesy of Gary Colet

On April 9, 2008 at 6:00 pm,a community-wide informational meeting will be held regarding the upcoming spring run-off season.  Early planning will be key if this winter’s heavy snowfall melts too quickly and causes flooding. The meeting will take place at the Crestede Butte Town Hall.

Representatives from Gunnison County and the City of Gunnison will be available to answer questions and provide information on preparations local governments are making, as well as preparedness steps that property owners should be considering.

This meeting is open to the general public, and not just for those whose property may be at risk.

If you are interested in volunteering in any way or have resources that could be of assistance in high-water situations if they should happen, we will be providing that type of information as well.

For more information, please contact Gunnison County Emergency Management, 641-2481 or the City of Gunnison Fire Marshal at 641-8153.


Flood Insurance

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In the event of a flood, are you and your family adequately prepared? There is a 30 day waiting period for new flood insurance policies to take effect once they are purchased. Floodplain residents should consider buying flood insurance if you think your home is potentially vulnerable. Historically, about one-third of all flood insurance claims come outside of the mapped regulatory floodplain area (for 100 year floods).

For more information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent, or contact Thuy Patton, State Coordinator for the National Flood Insurance Program at 303-866-4803, email: thuy.patton@state.co.us or go to: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

On Thursday, March 13th, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm, representatives from the Colorado Water Conservancy Board will be providing a forum for questions and information on the National Flood Insurance Program. This meeting is being held in the Concrete Room at the Multipurpose Building (Fairgrounds) and is open to everyone - government officials, insurance agents and the public. For more information, contact Gunnison County Emergency Management 970-641-2481, or smorrill@gunnisoncounty.org.


Spring Run-Off

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Are you concerned about potential high water and flooding this spring? Prepare now using these valuable resources. For information on flooding, check the following web sites:

• Colorado Water Conservation Board home site, flood information links.
  
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management – awareness/preparedness information.
  
• Grand Junction National Weather Service site.
  
• How to fill and stack sandbags.
  
• FEMA website on flood information.
  
• Additional information on floods and flood insurance, including the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
  
• USGS real-time stream flow information for Colorado.

For additional information, contact Gunnison County Emergency Management 641-2481 or smorrill@gunnisoncounty.org


Got Sandbags?

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With the large snowpack in the Gunnison River Basin this winter, low-lying areas could be at risk of flooding during the run-off this spring. Sandbags can be purchased from several sources, including local hardware stores and lumberyards or check under sandbags on the Internet. Local governments will also have sandbags available for purchase. Prepare early – don’t wait until the last minute.

For more information, including instructions on the filling and stacking of sandbags, contact Gunnison County Emergency Management at 641-2481 or email smorrill@gunnisoncounty.org.


A Message from Gunnison County, the City of Gunnison, the Town of Crested Butte and the Town of Mt. Crested Butte

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Protect your property now against potential high water this spring.  The local governments listed above are encouraging property owners to begin preparing now for the possibility of spring flooding.  Local governments are responsible for assisting in life threatening situations and in protecting public infrastructure, including facilities, roads, bridges, etc. Protection of private property is the responsibility of the property owner, and local governments will not be responding to private property concerns. 

For more information contact Gunnison County Emergency Management at 641-2481 or email smorrill@gunnisoncounty.org  You can also call the offices of the jurisdiction in which you reside.


Are You and Your Family Ready for Emergencies?

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Being prepared is perhaps the most important step you and your family can take to get through, and possibly even survive, emergencies and disasters.

Preparedness means not only having the appropriate gear and supplies necessary to cope with emergencies, but also having a plan for your family to follow in these situations. An important component of this plan should be how family members would communicate, keeping in mind that in some circumstances, regular phone service and cell phone service may be unavailable.As you put together your emergency kits, and develop your plans, it is important to remember that while livingBelow are several links to information on emergency preparedness for you, your family and your pets:

• Colorado Division of Emergency Managment 72 Hour Kit
  
• American Red Cross Preparedness Information
  
• READY Colorado - Preparedness Information
  

Are You a Business Owner in Gunnison County?

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• READY Colorado Business Plan
  
• Colorado Division of Emergency Management Business Information
  

Think About This . . . .

• One of the appealing aspects of living here is how rural and isolated this area is. While most of us embrace this type of lifestyle, it presents unique challenges in terms of preparing for and responding to large scale emergencies and disasters. Gunnison, Crested Butte and the smaller towns in the County are some of the most isoalted and hard to reach communities in the State. If the unthinkable happens, it takes outside help longer to get here on a good day. Inclement weather could further complicate the issue by potentially closing roads and the airport.
  
• Our winter-time temperatures are frequently some of the coldest in the nation. Sub-freezing, and even sub-zero tempartures are not uncommon, and can last for weeks at a time. As such, when putting together your emergency kits and plans, measures should be taken to address the extreme cold that can occur here.