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Officials Calling On Volunteers To Help Ahead Of Threats Of Flooding

LAKE CITY, Colo. (CBS4) - Volunteers from around the state are filling hundreds of sand bags, preparing evacuation routes and doubling down on their emergency response plans in Lake City. They are preparing for severe flooding expected in the coming weeks.

Lake City Silver World Hinsdale Co RD 20 slide2 copy
A avalanche in Hinsdale County in March of 2019. (credit: Lake City Silver World)

Historic avalanche debris combined with massive snowpack could lead to flooding in Hinsdale County in southwestern Colorado. While cool temperatures are expected for the next several days, a warm up could bring the debris down toward the town.

"This need is further defined as 1,000 sandbags per day, for the next 15 days. This Thursday, May 23rd a group of people, including local law enforcement personnel, are heading to Lake City to help. The community has a sandbag filling machine and has individuals available to teach others how to use the machine. The Monte Vista Police Department has already committed four officers to this effort and urges other local law enforcement and emergency units to join in. The relief convoy will be leaving the MVPD around 6:30 a.m. with plans to get briefed at 10:00 a.m. in Lake City to begin filling the 1,000 per day quota," Lake City officials said.

According to county emergency mangers, state and regional support is flooding into the area as they get ready. They requested help from the public sector on social media Tuesday.

Officials are in the planning stages, giving community members information to help prepare for potential flooding.

LINK: Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Blog

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