Baca County Division of Emergency Management Riley Frazee, Director 741 Main Street Springfield, CO 81073 719-523-6532 FOR RELEASE: Saturday, December 30, 2006 (SPRINGFIELD, COLORADO) The Baca County Division of Emergency Management continues to work to assist and rescue stranded motorist. Some motorists have had to remain in their vehicles over night, and Baca County responders are currently attempting to reach those individuals. Everyone is being asked to stay with their vehicles - do not leave the vehicle to look for help. Overnight three lost children were located and taken to a shelter in the Stonington Colorado area. Several families have been rescued from stranded cars and have been brought to the shelters available in the county. Blizzard conditions continue in Baca County, including blowing and drifting snow making travel hazardous or impossible. The City of Walsh has verbally declared a disaster and is asking for assistance in gaining access to essential city functions such as Fire/EMS and Healthcare. There have been reports to the Emergency Operations Center that some buildings in Springfield and Campo have had roof collapses. No one has been reported trapped or injured at this time. The Division of Emergency Management is asking that local livestock producers route their requests for assistance to the Emergency Operations Center by calling 719-523-6532. Baca County Commissioner Troy Crane says that after the storm clears the priority will be life safety and then livestock needs. The Baca County Division of Emergency Management is working with the Department of Agriculture at the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate available resources to get feed to the livestock in the County. The Baca County Division of Emergency Management is urging everyone to stay at home. Do not attempt to travel as you may become stranded and help will not be able to arrive quickly since the countywide and local resources are already stretched to their limits. The Baca County Emergency Operations Center is open and has opened several shelters: 1. Assembly of God Church at 4th & Church Street Springfield is FULL 2. United Methodist Church at 9th & Colorado Street Springfield is FULL 3. Baca County Resource Center at 12th and US 287 is Open and accepting people 4. 1st Baptist Church at 8th and Church in Springfield is Open and accepting people 5. Walsh Methodist Church 455 N Nevada Street in Walsh is Open and accepting people 6. Campo Community Building East of 287 in Campo is Open and accepting people 7. Campo High School at 480 Maple Street in Campo is Open and accepting people Further details and instructions will be announced as they become available. General information about emergency services is available from the Baca County Division of Emergency Management, 719-523-6532, or the Baca County Sheriff's Office, 719-523-4511. For immediate emergencies, dial 911. For more information, contact Riley Frazee, Director of the Baca County Division of Emergency Management at 719-529-0300. #30# Released 2006-12-30, 1424 -Initial Release-Also available electronically.