The severe flooding that has already killed three people in Colorado continued on Friday as the National Guard was called out to evacuate people when a small town near Denver became completely cut off due to rising waters, according to the New York Times.
At least 2,500 people were evacuated from the town of Lyons, about 15 miles north of Boulder, using high-clearance trucks shortly after dawn. The town had become completely cut off from running water and power after Thursday's flooding, according to USA Today.
"There's no way out of town," Jason Stillman, a resident of Lyon who had to flee, told USA Today. "There's no way into town. So, basically, now we're just on an island."
It looks like there is no relief in sight either. Rain is expected to continue on Friday with rates of a half inch per hour possible. The rain is expected to taper off slowly as the day goes on but rain is also expected over the weekend, according to the Denver Post.
"I encourage all of you - stay strong!" Fire Chief J.J. Hoffman wrote on the fire department's Facebook. "We will make it through this, we are here for you and doing the absolute best we can with the resources we have to get to each and every one of you."
Gov. John Hickenlooper did not give an estimate of how much damage has been caused so far in the flooding but did say that the state had lost "a great deal of infrastructure." Hickenlooper also warned people to be careful and to stay away from streams and rivers if possible, according to USA Today.
"People try to walk through what looks like a harmless foot or two of water," Hickenlooper said. "You have to realize this is like liquid cement and you can be swept away."
Hickenlooper said that the flooding is some of the worst that the state of Colorado has ever endured while he thanked President Barack Obama for approving federal aid for the state, according to the New York Times.
