Back to 2013: The Big Thompson River Flood

A Record-Breaking Storm

In early September 2013, a slow-moving, moisture-rich storm stalled over Colorado’s Front Range, unleashing torrential rainfall that led to one of the most devastating floods the region had experienced in generations. For several days—from roughly September 9 to 16—rivers and creeks overflowed, swallowing roads, bridges, and communities in Boulder, Larimer, and adjacent counties.

The Storm’s Fallout

• Communities across the Front Range declared states of emergency as major waterways like the Big Thompson River surged. As many as 11,000 people were evacuated, with approximately 1,850 homes destroyed, and damages estimated in the billions.

• Estes Park usually receives around 8–10 inches of rainfall annually—but in just days, the flood shattered that with up to 18 inches in some places.

• Along the Big Thompson Canyon, the force of the flood washed out multiple sections of U.S. Highway 34, trapping communities and triggering large-scale rescues—many via airlift.

Human Cost & Recovery

• In Larimer County alone, two lives were lost as a result of the flooding.

• Flooding in Estes Park caused serious damage—roads, sewer systems, and bridges were heavily affected, and several neighborhoods were isolated.

• The disaster prompted swift and sustained recovery efforts—both local and federal. FEMA and other agencies rolled out emergency aid, shelters, and long-term support, helping communities rebuild and strengthen resilience in the years that followed.

Why It Still Matters

The September 2013 flood served as a wake-up call: even seemingly stable waterways can become destructive flashpoints when climate dynamics align unfavorably. The event highlighted the importance of:

• Weather preparedness and early warning systems

• Infrastructure designed to withstand extreme flooding

• Community coordination and long-term resilience planning

Further Reading & Resources

• Colorado Newsline: “‘Almost unimaginable’: The 2013 Colorado flood, 10 years later” AxiosColorado Newsline+2FEMA+2

• FEMA report: 2013 Colorado Floods: A Decade of Recovery and Building Resilience Wikipedia+6FEMA+6Wikipedia+6

• Wikipedia: Article on the 2013 Colorado floods Wikipedia

• Colorado Department of Transportation: Damage overview and repair timeline for US 34 in Big Thompson Canyon Wikipedia+3Colorado Department of Transportation+3Wikipedia+3

• National Weather Service & NOAA: Analysis of Front Range flooding patterns Wikipedia+1