The National Weather Service wants everyone in the United States to be part of a Weather-Ready Nation.  Colorado has more than its fair share of floods, flash floods, and wildfires.  You should be weather alert and weather ready, knowing how to stay safe when floods and wildfires affect your area.

Governor Hickenlooper has proclaimed this week, March 20-26, as Colorado Flood Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week. Now is the time to learn about flood and wildfire risks in Colorado, and to develop your plans to improve your outcome.

Flood-prone areas have been identified in over 250 cities and towns and in all 64 counties in Colorado. Over 250,000 people live in floodplains in Colorado. There are estimated to be 65,000 homes and 15,000 commercial, industrial, and business structures in identified floodplains. There are likely many more structures located within unmapped flood hazard areas. The value of the property, structures, and contents located in the identified floodplains is estimated to be around $15 billion.

Floods and flash floods have killed over 400 people in Colorado since the turn of the 20th century.  The historic weather pattern of September 2013 reminds us all that floods are a major concern across the Centennial state.  Floods have caused billions of dollars in damage in Colorado. 

On average 2500 wildfires occur across Colorado each year. Since 2012, 8 people have been killed when wildfires occurred in the wildland-urban interface. 

Throughout the week, these topics will be covered:

Monday-Flood watches and warnings

Tuesday-River and areal floods

Wednesday-Flash floods

Thursday-Fire weather forecasts, watches, and warnings

Friday-Wildfire safety and mitigation

Saturday- Review of the week