Videos: Startling aerial footage of flooding in Lyons, Longmont

Colorado Office of Emergency Management numbers have changed since our publication of a flooding update 24 hours ago -- some for the better (648 people remain unaccounted for, as opposed to 1,253 yesterday), the most important one for the worse (confirmed fatalities have gone up from five to eight). But...

By Michael Roberts

September 17, 2013

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Colorado Office of Emergency Management numbers have changed since our publication of a flooding update 24 hours ago -- some for the better (648 people remain unaccounted for, as opposed to 1,253 yesterday), the most important one for the worse (confirmed fatalities have gone up from five to eight). But to truly grasp the scope of this natural disaster, one needs to see it from above. To that end, we've grouped a dozen aerial clips shared by videographer Payton Peterson over Longmont and Lyons in recent days.

The images astound even as they indicate the incredible amount of work that lies ahead of these communities and the people who call them home. See all twelve below.

Continue to see more aerial footage of flooding in Longmont and Lyons.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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