President Obama on Thursday approved federal disaster assistance for Colorado, with severe flooding continuing to affect several counties. The floods have left at least three people dead and one missing.
Gov. John Hickenlooper requested federal help after floods, landslides, and mudslides swept away homes and bridges and trapped drivers beginning Wednesday in Boulder, El Paso, and Larimer counties. The aid is intended to provide “appropriate assistance for required emergency measures” to save lives and to protect property, public health, and safety, according to a press release issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Video: Floodwaters hit Colorado
The city of Boulder ordered thousands of residents to evacuate overnight into Friday morning. Throughout the day Thursday, people from other counties were also asked to evacuate to avoid rising water levels and increased chances of flash floods.
Officials will continue to assess the scope of the damage, FEMA said.
(Watch more):
Michele Richinick