Robert graham and michele graham hold hands as they listen as the names of the 144 people who died in the 1976 big thompson flood at a. Nearly 300 coloradans have been killed by flash flooding since the year 1900. Big thompson river in moraine park in the rocky mountain national park. Id be interested in any literature anyone has regarding the big thompson flood. Aug 26, 20 in the summer of 1976, when i was 7 years old, the river i lived near the big thompson suffered a flash flood of unheard of proportions.
Jerry shafer, a survivor of the 1976 flood, tells his story of riding the wave of floodwaters and losing his. Geological survey usgs flood science as a consequence of this disaster, and provides a reminder that extreme floods like the 1976 big thompson flood have occurred in other locations in colorado in the past and will occur. The profits from the sale of this book, along with the generous donations received, will help with the upkeep of the flood. The david mccomb big thompson flood collection consists of documents dated from 1975 to 1985, with the bulk being from 1976 to 1978. Jeanne perrine of berthoud has a plastic tub that she said she rarely looks in. The big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 was colorados worst flash flood in.
A house teetering on the riverbank gives testament to the power of the big thompson flood that crashed through the canyon in 1976 ago killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. Geological survey, about some of the largest floods in americas history. The big thompson flood an eyewitness account applied. Berthoud jeanne perrine of berthoud has a plastic tub that she said she rarely looks in. A tale of two deadly and destructive weather events.
It holds items collected over the 40 years since the 1976 big thompson flood, some from just days after. It is the main link between the plains and rocky mountain national park. Remembering colorados deadliest natural disaster out. In the first hour alone, 8 inches of rainfall was recorded for a total of 12 inches during the first three hours. In light of the current flooding of the mississippi river, times kayla webley spoke to robert holmes, a flood expert with the u. On july 31, 1976, during the celebration of colorados centennial, the big thompson canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that swept down the steep and narrow canyon, claiming the lives of 143 people, 5 of whom were never found. The big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorado s recorded history. Big thompson canyon community gathers for anniversary of. If anyone has any books, articles, etc the they could copy or send to me id be willing to buy. The profits from the sale of this book, along with the generous donations received, will help with the upkeep of the flood memorial and provide scholarships for the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren of the flood victims. Geological survey to commemorate the 1976 flood was obliterated by the 20 event, and the sylvan dale ranch, host of the big thompson canyon floods of 1976 and 20. A house teetering on the riverbank gives testament to the power of the big thompson flood that crashed through the canyon in 1976 ago killing more than. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Guide to the david mccomb big thompson flood collection.
The big thompson river is a tributary of the south platte river, approximately 78 miles 123 km long, in the u. The big thompson flood in 1976 crashed through the canyon killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. Geological survey usgs conducts research and operates a nationwide streamgage network to help understand and predict the magnitude and likelihood of large streamflow events such as the big thompson flood. The big thompson canyon flood was the first in the nation with loss of life since idahos teton dam failure in june. Big thompson flood 1976 rocky mountain national park. The flood in the big thompson canyon destroyed 316 homes, 45 mobile homes, 52 businesses, and 438 automobiles. The big thompson flood july 31, 1976 paperback illustrated, 1976 by don ed. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 was colorados worst flash flood in terms of lives lost. I had been wandering around the flat tops wilderness for a week or so with mrs. The overwhelming thought hit me on how oblivious we were to the dangers the night before.
On july 31, 1976, a violent rainstorm sent rushing water through the big thompson canyon just west of loveland. Route 34 runs through the canyon, adjacent to the river in many spots. Man survives 1976 big thompson flood, still recovering from loss in. Last major state flood with loss of life was the south platte river flood to eastern colorado in 1965 in which 26 died. According to the 2006 book natural hazards and disasters, this.
The big thompson flood july 31, 1976 cotten, don ed. The headwaters of the big thompson river begin in forest canyon within rocky. More than 200 people died in rapid city, south dakota, on june 910, 1972. According to, it was the height of tourist season in big thompson canyon, a popular camping area an hour west of the city of denver, colorado. Loveland, co devastating canyon flooding, aug 1976. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around the resort town of estes park. A flood of memories the big thompson flood of 1976 part 1.
New jersey governor murphy holds coronavirus briefing news. Jul 31, 20 remembering 144 people killed in the big thompson flood, 37 years ago, with bertha lynn. On the 40th anniversary of the 1976 big thompson flood, the disaster. The book is titled, the big thompson disaster a collection of editorial and pictorial material concerning colorados tragic flash flood of july 31, 1976. It was the worst flood disaster in loss of life since the rapid city, s. While it was shocking in its own right, the big thompson flood came amid a decade of major flash flood disasters. All of the stories of where, when and what they were doing that night, are both heart wrenching and amazing to hear.
According to the national weather service, those able to climb canyon. Big thompson flood when the skies opened on july 31, 1976, few anticipated this summer storm would result in the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. Sep 24, 20 in 1976 in big thompson canyon flash flooding%2c 144 people died. On july 31, 1976, the big thompson flood of 1976 struck. The reporterheralds look back at the 1976 big thompson flood includes. Most of the stories from the big thompson flood of 1976 are heartbreaking. Bill johnson, the denver post litter of the roof of a cabin is scattered across a bridge which spans the rainswollen big thompson river, which left is. On the big thompson river, from just west of glen comfort downstream to loveland there was almost complete devastation. The flood demolished homes and businesses and claimed the lives of visitors and residents alike. This was one of the deadliest floods to ever occur in colorado. Memories remain four decades after big thompson flood. Over twelve inches fell in a fourhour period leading to a wall of water that swept away everything from powerlines and trees to cars and homes. Devastation also occurred along the north fork big thompson river in the vicinity of glen haven. A portion of a house can be seen near drake after it.
Deadly big thompson flood devastates colorado video. Sep 10, 2010 among the responses was a phone call from merrit jensen of corvallis, who lived through one of the biggest and deadliest floods in u. Jul 29, 2016 on the 40th anniversary of the 1976 big thompson flood, the disaster that claimed 144 lives remains the states deadliest natural disaster. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around. Big thompson flood, colorado usgs publications repository. In june 1976, just before the flood, the fulltime canyon population. Jerry shaffer, a survivor of the 1976 big thompson flood, reminisces at his drake home friday afternoon july 22, 2016 about his banjo, and the. The combination of a state and national holiday, a downed weather warning station, and a torrential rainstorm that remained stationary over the big thompson river for several hours, left 144. More than twelve inches fell in a fourhour period creating a wall of water that swept away everything from powerlines and trees to cars and homes.
The night of july 31, 1976, a large storm system caused torrential rains over the upper section of the river. The parents, nerlin and mordonna, have seven children, some of whom were not created in the traditional way like you, but were made in the cellar underneath their house, using incredible mystical powers, a set of very shiny jamie oliver saucepans and a small chemistry set. Big thompson flood victims remembered loveland reporter. Colin thompson s whimsical series starring the names of australian and us soapie and reality shows.
The big thompson flood has been called the worst natural disaster in colorado history. International boundary and water commission, united states and mexico. The big thompson canyon the big thompson canyon is one of the most scenic in the rocky mountain region. If we had camped near the loveland area, we would never have escaped. Colorado is more than familiar with flash flooding.
I found this book accidentally while looking for a different book that had nothing to do with estes parkrmnp. Deadly big thompson flood devastates colorado in this archival report from aug. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 by barbara anderson, sharlynn wamsley, et al. This fact sheet presents a summary of the hydrologic conditions of the 1976 flood, describes some of the advances in u. Remembering the big thompson canyon flood, colorados.
Big thompson canyon flood the big thompson canyon located east of the town of estes park has steep walls of bedrock and easily eroded soil. Cabin lodged on a private bridge just below drake, looking upstream. Water levels swiftly rose over nine feet, cut away. Such research and streamgage information are part of an ongoing usgs effort to reduce flood hazards and to increase public awareness. Know that the many deaths that occurred during the big thompson canyon flood of 1976 are a big part of why these now exist. Jul 31, 2012 the big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. Examine one of the most deadly floods in colorado history. As far as big thompson canyon goes, its seen flooding since 1976, but.
Big thompson flood when the skies opened on july 31, 1976, few anticipated that this summer storm would result in the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. Remembering 144 people killed in the big thompson flood, 37 years ago, with bertha lynn. The big thompson canyon flood of july 31, 1976 barbara anderson, sharlynn wamsley, gary wamsley, linda roesener on. After remembering the victims of two floods in the big thompson, the crowd enjoyed snacks and some purchased books about the flood. We wish to thank betty kimbro for allowing us to reprint the big thompson flood july 31st 1976.
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