Southern Colorado county declares disaster because of massive snow drifts, high winds
A southern Colorado county declared a disaster Tuesday because of heavy snow and strong winds, which were combining to create dangerous conditions.
“The high winds are causing snow drifts as high as ten feet in some places, and we want to make sure our citizens are safe,” Christopher Rodriguez, Costilla County’s emergency manager, said in a statement.
Officials say Centennial School District in the county’s San Luis Valley was closed Tuesday and will be shuttered Wednesday as well.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says it has opened its emergency operations center to help Costilla County and Dolores County in southwest Colorado, which is also being pounded by heavy snow.
Read full story at denverpost.com.
John Ellis, who has lived in Crested Butte for 20 years, uncovers his buried car on Sopris Avenue in downtown Crested Butte Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Ellis said he had cleared his car just a couple days before. The Colorado mountain town has received 94 inches of snow over the last week. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
John Ellis, who has lived in Crested Butte for 20 years, uncovers his buried car on Sopris Avenue in downtown Crested Butte Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Ellis said he had cleared his car just a couple days before. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)