[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ay57f6lobfs/Uki4iBmH3II/AAAAAAAAAv0/-rN3zB9mnJw/s144-c-o/co-drake.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108306177534978229224/September2013ColoradoSFloods?authkey=Gv1sRgCOa7nK-5oPKyvQE#5929191804116655234″ caption=”US.34 near Drake is siimply no longer in existence in the wake of the flooding. Image taken September 28, 2013. (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority)” type=”image” alt=”co-drake.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w300″ ]

Recovery following Colorado’s devastating floods will be a painstaking process that takes months and years.  New video showcases one, small part of the destruction but serves as a reminder as to just how extensive the damage is.

US Highway 34 between Loveland and Estes Park is no stranger to flood damage.  Once again, the canyon areas were among the hardest hit in the state and the highway was entirely destroyed in many locations.

Personnel with the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority rode an ATV up the canyon to near Drake this past Saturday, September 28, 2013, and recorded it on video using a helmet mounted camera.  The highway is impassable by car and one of the areas that required extensive aerial rescues to help residents stranded by the flood waters.

Entire sections of the road are destroyed as the rider is forced to evade downed power lines and scattered debris.  At one point, he appears to be riding in the river but instead is riding where there used to be a highway.

The three-minute video is well worth watching.