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On July 31, 1976, heavy rainfall caused the Big Thompson River in Colorado to crest, causing at least 144 deaths, more than 250 injuries, and at least 5 others to be missing.
The chaos along an otherwise trickling Big Thompson River killed 144 people, five of whom were never found, and carved out a chapter in the history books as Colorado's deadliest natural disaster.
On July 31, 1976, during the celebration of Colorado's 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, making it the deadliest disaster in Colorado's history. [5]
The 1976 Big Thompson flood stands as the worst natural disaster in Colorado’s recorded history. A massive, prolonged rain event in September 2013 claimed far fewer lives, but destroyed numerous establishments, including Vistenz-Smith Park, where the 30 th anniversary remembrance of the Big Thompson flood was held.
Deadly Deluge: 1976 Big Thompson Flood. Jason Pohl. jasonpohl@coloradoan.com. Editor's Note: On July 31, 1976, the skies opened up over the Big Thompson Canyon, setting off the deadliest...
The sudden flood that churned down the narrow Big Thompson Canyon scoured the river channel that night, caused over $35 million in damages (1977 dollars) to 418 homes and businesses, many mobile homes, 438 automobiles, numerous bridges, paved and unpaved roads, power and telephone lines, and many other structures.
We are striving to keep the serenity, and hold to the highest respect for the victims and their families of the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. The one statement made while searching to find the families for the 25th Memorial was, “I didn’t know anyone cared.”
The tragedy claimed the lives of 144 people, including two law enforcement officers trying to evacuate people in danger, and there were 250 reported injuries. Scores of other people narrowly escaped with their lives. More than 800 people were evacuated by helicopter the following morning.
History. Beginning about 7:00 p.m. a thunderstorm towering over 50,000 feet stalled near Hague’s Peak in the upper reaches of the Big Thompson Canyon. The torrential downpour from that storm put almost 12 inches of rainfall in the Glen Comfort and North Fork areas in just four hours.
On July 31, 1976 Colorado experienced the deadliest flood in its history to date. The upper section of the Big Thompson canyon underwent a dramatic increase in rainfall in only a short period of time causing the Big Thompson river to overflow and affect the neighboring communities.