Flooding Reaches Eastern Plains Agriculture Communities
STERLING, Colo. (CBS4) - Although the rain has stopped and the water is no longer rising on the Front Range, flooding is still a big concern for communities on the Eastern Plains.
The new flood areas are in places like Sterling, 130 miles east of the Front Range. It shows just how widespread the problem is as the damage is now statewide.
Overnight and into Monday the Platte River crested, overflowing the banks onto Highway 6 in Sterling. More than 1,000 people were evacuated in the middle of the night. By daylight the flooding was visible.
Jerry Bush's family has owned a restaurant in Sterling for 16 years, but it's now under water.
"It's just sad. you know. There's just nothing; you can't prepare for something like this," Bush said. "We saw people sandbagging yesterday and the day before, and I just don't think you can prepare for this."
In Atwood the Montgomery family said they chose not to evacuate, but rather work through the night by sandbagging around their home.
"We had water up in the yard and if we would not have done that we probably would have had water in our basement," Jenny Montgomery said.
In Moreno corn fields were under water. In an economy relying on farming and agriculture, it remains to be seen how the flooding will have a ripple effect on not only the economy, but the food available at grocery stores everywhere.
Sterling is currently under a "no flush" order.
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
