We live and work in one of the most naturally diverse settings in Colorado, and much of our natural beauty can also make us highly prone to potentially catastrophic events such as wildfire, blizzards and flash flooding. And our changing climate means that weather events like these will happen more often and with greater severity.

It’s critical that if you live or work in Boulder, you’re prepared to respond quickly if there’s a wildland fire, flood or other disaster. Use the resources on this page to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

Together, we can have a resilient community.

When emergencies happen, the best source for real-time updates is the Boulder Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Emergency Status page.

Sign up below for localized Everbridge alerts to receive notifications to your cellphone in emergency situations based on your registered addresses.

The city has different categories of notifications related to evacuations:

Learn more about how the city notifies community members at the Boulder ODM Alert and Warning System page.

Boulder’s geography and our changing climate put our community at risk for wildland fires, floods and other severe weather events. In the event of such an emergency, you may have only minutes to react. Put together a “go bag” ahead of time so you're ready to quickly evacuate if needed.

Learn more about preparing your go bag at www.ready.gov/kit.

Creating an emergency plan is an effective way to ensure that everyone that you care for knows how to respond in the event of an emergency.

Learn about the hazards and risks in your area and talk to members of your household about what to do in different scenarios. Consider the following:

Check on your neighbors during and after an emergency in case they need assistance.

It’s also a good idea to have a plan when hiking in case of a wildland fire. Learn how to be prepared before recreating.

Learn more about creating an emergency plan at www.ready.gov/plan.

In an emergency, the city and county assemble an emergency operations center (EOC) to coordinate operations to support the safety and security of our community. This includes mobilizing emergency resources such as transportation, evacuations, and shelters; sharing information; and coordinating with state and federal agencies.

Learn more about the city’s emergency response at www.boulderoem.com/response/.

Boulder’s location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains makes for stunning views, but it also puts us at greater risk to natural disasters. Boulder’s natural terrain and location at the mouth of numerous canyons creates a constant flood risk for the city.

Fifteen major creeks pass through town, including Boulder Creek, which flows right through downtown. The Front Range is also susceptible to wildland fires and drought, which create dry, less vegetated conditions and contribute to increased flood risk. In addition, Boulder’s propensity for sudden bursts of isolated and severe storms contributes to flash flooding risk. Flooding and wildfires demonstrate the connections between Boulder’s natural environment, climate change-related conditions and the interconnections between major hazards.

Increasing global temperatures exacerbate many of these hazards for community members. A 2018 study (PDF) found that climate change is rapidly changing Boulder’s risk environment:

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