Flood Recovery Resources

In September 2013, Lyons suffered its worst disaster in town history. With more than 17 inches of rainfall over a 2-day span, the St. Vrain Creek rose to ten times its normal water volume, resulting in 500+ year floods that inundated the town. The waters left Lyons in islands, cut off from power, telephone service, water, roads, and other basic services. The widespread damage led to an evacuation of the entire town. It was more than six weeks after the flood when the first residents returned back to town. 

​Lyons Recovery Action Plan

The Lyons Recovery Action Plan is the result of an intense community planning process that began in mid-December 2013, three months after the flood waters hit Lyons, and was carried out in January-February 2014. Hundreds of citizens engaged in the process, from attending Town Hall meetings to more intense commitments as members of Recovery Working Groups that met weekly to develop and refine objectives and project ideas. The Town of Lyons received technical and facilitation support from the FEMA Community Planning Team, the State's Department of Local Affairs, Natural Capitalism Solutions Inc., and the University of Colorado at Denver.

This plan lays the framework for Lyons to build back stronger and more resilient in the future. It reflects the community's intentions for the Lyons of tomorrow, and it represents the strength and resilience our ability to come together as a community to chart our course to recovery.

Boulder Office of Emergency Management
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management (OEM) plans, coordinates and supports a wide-range of activities that help prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and large-scale emergencies, while also reducing vulnerabilities to hazards.

Colorado Hazard Mapping & Risk MAPs

The Colorado Hazard Mapping Program aims to provide a mitigation and land use framework in areas likely to be affected by future flooding, erosion, and debris flow.

Lyons Floodplain Mapping >>

Colorado Hazard Floodplain Mapping >>

Colorado Hazard Mitigation FAQs >>

Colorado Water Conservation Board

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was created to provide policy direction on water issues, and is Colorado’s most comprehensive water information resource. The agency maintains expertise in a broad range of programs and provides technical assistance to further the utilization of Colorado’s waters. More information can be found through the CWCB website, or through the links below:

CWCB Flood Information >>

CWCB Flood FAQs >>

CWCB Floodplain Management Program >>

CWCB Floodplain Rules and Regulations >>

FEMA

Through FEMA's flood hazard mapping program, Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (MAP), FEMA identifies flood hazards, assesses flood risks and partners with states and communities to provide accurate flood hazard and risk data to guide them to mitigation actions. Flood hazard mapping is an important part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as it is the basis of the NFIP regulations and flood insurance requirements. FEMA maintains and updates data through Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and risk assessments. FIRMs include statistical information such as data for river flow, storm tides, hydrologic/hydraulic analyses and rainfall and topographic surveys.

 FEMA uses the best available technical data to create the flood hazard maps that outline your community’s flood risk areas. A variety of audiences ranging from homeowners to engineers and mapping professionals can benefit in learning more about flood hazard mapping.

National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping >>

Flood Map Service Center >>

FEMA Fact Sheets >>