Officials in Park County said that a break in the weather Tuesday allowed them to perform 17 rescue missions using Sno-Cats and snowmobiles to reach isolated and snowbound ranches and rural residences.
Food and essential medicines were delivered to “help people sustain until their roads can be opened,” said Mike Roll, chief of the North-West Fire Protection District, that provides services to most of South Park.
Roll said that approximately 100 miles of roads were opened Tuesday. In addition to the 30 snow removal vehicles from Park County, equipment and personnel from Pueblo, Baca, Jefferson, El Paso and Garfield counties contributed to the effort as well as machines and manpower from Colorado Springs and the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Roll said that approximately 30 individuals were brought necessary supplies in the 17 rescue missions. He said that another 70 people are stranded but have communicated that they’ve hunkered down in their homes and are, so far, OK.
However, officials are concerned that with the new storm moving in their situation and that of others in the South Park region may change.
Snow will begin falling after midnight with accumulations of up to three inches.
Winds will be out of the west at 15 to 25 mph with gusts around 40 mph. On Thursday, the South Park region will receive up to another four inches of snow with winds out of the northeast at 10 to 15 mph.
Officials are advising residents in Park County to stock extra stores of food, fuel and necessary medication and make every effort to collect those necessities before the storm moves in tonight and blocks access roads.
Citizens of Park County who need help should call 719-836-4160. They are asked not to call 911.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
