DENVER—The Federal Emergency Management Agency is advising Leadville to get flood insurance as protection from contaminated water backed up in tunnel system.
John Kainard, Division Head of Disaster Assistance for FEMA, recommended that the city to sign up for the National Flood Insurance Program at a meeting at the Capitol today.
The advice comes as the Environmental Protection Agency says it has approved money to pump water out of a Leadville drainage tunnel where more than a billion gallons of water is trapped.
Lake County officials have declared a state of emergency for fear that growing pressure in the tunnel could cause a catastrophic blowout and flood the town.
The tunnel drains contaminated water from abandoned mines.
EPA regional director Robbie Roberts says it will be 12 weeks before pumping could begin.
Lake County Commissioner Mike Hickman grew frustrated at the meeting, announcing he was “damn angry” and referring to representatives of three federal agencies as the “Three Stooges.”
