National Guard Airlifts Thousands From Flooded Lyons
LYONS, Colo. (CBS4) - Officials with the Colorado National Guard are working to evacuate hundreds of residents from the city of Lyons, one of the towns hardest hit by flooding this week.
Copter4 flew over Lyons on Friday afternoon and showed roads washed out and the Planet Bluegrass festival grounds on the west side of town completely overrun with flood water.
See the Copter4 video below:
Roads in and out of Lyons have been shut down since early Thursday, and when flood waters overran the sewer system officials said the drinking water was compromised. Officials said residents should drink only boiled water or bottled water.
Gov. John Hickenlooper said Friday morning the evacuation in Lyons is one of the top emergency priorities for the state right now.
National Guardsmen have been using high-clearance military vehicles to bring in supplies and to start evacuating people.
"Supporting our neighbors in their time of need is one of the most rewarding missions the military has to offer," said Air National Guard Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards in a prepared statement. Edwards is commander of the Colorado National Guard.
As the creeks in downtown Lyons rose residents were warned to seek higher ground.
"I got a steep hill behind me. It gave way last night, I got a pretty good mudslide," said one Lyons resident told CBS4 on Thursday. "But it missed the house."
The only grocery store in Lyons was flooded, leaving residents with limited food options.
"Unspeakable and it's going to get worse so who knows when we can get out of our subdivision," said one Lyons resident on Thursday. "We've been out of electricity on and off for the past 24 hours."
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
