Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday in northern Vallecito, where heavy rains caused unprecedented flooding.
Emergency responders determined water levels in the Vallecito, Grimes and Los Pinos creeks have receded to safe levels, according to a Thursday news release from La Plata County. The release urged residents to visit www.lpcgov.org/VallecitoFlood for a reentry guide.
Residents had been evacuated since Saturday.
Upper Pine River Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Greg French said residents should expect damaged roads upon reentry, making travel difficult.
“Residents really need to look carefully at roads where they’re driving through before they try to pass through,” French said. “A lot of places are a lot narrower than they were previously due to erosion and cut from the water.”
Floodwaters deposited gravel, silt, firewood, trees and other debris onto roads and into yards. Road and Bridge crews will also be assessing infrastructure conditions.
“Residents can expect to see arborists working on leaning trees or downed trees close people’s homes, roads or the river,” French said.
Residents should inspect their homes for water damage, then examine propane, electrical, septic and well systems.
“Do a really careful 360 of the house, checking all around the house,” French said. “If there’s any impact from water or debris, just have a high index of suspicion for damage.”
Propane and electrical systems should be inspected before being turned back on to avoid the risk of fire, he said.
“For propane, they need to start at the tank and work from the tank toward the house,” French said.
He said residents should ensure floodwaters did not dislodge propane tanks from their footings. After that, they should inspect regulators and trace the lines from the tank to the house, looking for any cracks, kinks or bends that could indicate damage.
“If anything looks suspicious or doesn’t look normal, (residents) need to get it inspected,” French said. “We’re recommending that everybody call their provider and get their system pressure tested to make sure that there’s no leaks.”
Residents should inspect electrical systems, starting with overhead lines. Trees that fell on or are leaning over lines should be reported to officials. Power poles may also have shifted during the flooding, French said.
“(Residents) need to take a very close look as they re-energize their home from their breaker panel,” French said. “If any breaker trips or won’t stay on, then that’s a red flag that there could be a short. It could have been affected by water and it’s grounding out.”
If a breaker trips, residents should leave it off, French said. Once power is restored, they should check for cracking or popping sounds or the smell of electrical burning.
“Electrical burning is a real acute, pungent smell,” French said.
If cracking or popping sounds or the smell of electrical burning are detected, French said to turn everything off and call 911. He advised residents to avoid attempting electrical repairs and instead call an electrician to inspect their home.
Finally, residents should check their water and septic systems. Public water systems were unaffected by the flooding, but homes connected to private wells should test for harmful bacteria, such as E. coli.
“If they inspect the wellhead and it looks like water has been flowing over it, they should definitely get it checked,” French said. “Until they get their water tested, they should be boiling water or using bottled water.”
If a home has a septic tank and leach field, French said residents should limit water use, such as showering or flushing, because of saturated ground conditions.
“All of that system could be slowed down or overfilled, and that’s where they may want to consider calling a septic company to come and pump their tank,” French said. “If they notice that they’re having a hard time draining wastewater, then there is probably a problem with the septic or leach (field).”
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
