Authorities in Boulder and Larimer counties say they are scaling back the emergency phase of flood disaster operations, and transitioning into the recovery phase.
The total number of people unaccounted for across the state continues to fall. In Boulder County the number of missing has been lowered to 4 people, with 197 still unaccounted for in Larimer County.
As of Wednesday night, emergency officials say there are six confirmed flood-related deaths, with two women missing and presumed dead.
Search crews are now going door-to-door to look for stranded people. Electricity and phone services are being restored, allowing residents to contact family or friends.
In addition to communications, concerns about infrastructure are shifting to roads, bridges, and the region's oil and gas wells.
The Denver Post reports that crews are working to clean up more than 5,200 gallons of oil that spilled into the South Platte River near the Northern Colorado town of Milliken.
More on confirmed two oil tank batteries damaged by flood waters associated w/ South Platte River. #COGAResponds http://t.co/hH0299bQ5i
— COGA (@ColoradoOilGas) September 19, 2013
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission says it received a report yesterday that a damaged tank owned by Anadarko Petroleum Corp. had released the oil north of the confluence of the St. Vrain and the South Platte rivers. The company has placed absorbent booms in the water.
