Spring and summer storms: Aurora's flood record
The USGS reports that during the September 2013 flood about 15 inches of rain fell in Aurora, and that flooding in the Denver area was largely contained to select streams in Aurora and the metro. Toll Gate Creek peaked at 5,470 cubic feet per second. Sand Creek near its mouth peaked at 14,900, the highest since at least 1992 but below its 1957 peak of 25,500.
That is the main Aurora fact: a very large city where specific creeks carry the risk. If you live near Sand Creek or Toll Gate Creek, check the FEMA flood map for your address and ask your insurer whether flood coverage applies, because most homeowners policies exclude it.
Water damage restoration in Aurora, CO from our Littleton base covers that kind of event. We extract, clean the contaminated water out, and dry the structure, and the full list of steps is under flood damage restoration.
If water is still spreading in Aurora
Find the source
Shut the main valve if a pipe or appliance is leaking. If water is coming from outside, do not wade into it.
Think power
Cut power to a wet area only from dry ground, and call 911 or the utility for any electrical concern.
Lift and photograph
Move valuables up and photograph the damage for your insurer.
Avoid contaminated water
Treat creek or sewer water as contaminated and keep everyone out.
Call dispatch
Aurora is large, so give us the cross streets and the nearest major road.
A city built in decades: what that means for your house
Aurora grew from 74,974 residents in 1970 to 158,588 in 1980, and by 2020 it counted 386,261. That kind of growth means hundreds of subdivisions built in different eras, with different plumbing, roofing and basement designs. A house from the 1970s boom and a house from the 2000s have different failure patterns.
Older homes tend to have original supply lines, water heaters at the end of their service life and older roofs. Newer homes more often fail at appliance connections and finished basements. We map moisture before we choose a plan.
Aurora is also unusual in that it lies in Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties, so building and permit contacts vary by address. Ask the city's building division which rules apply to your rebuild, because we do not guess at code.
Hail and wind are a regular part of the metro summer, and Aurora's big roofs take the brunt. A shingle torn off at night can let water in for hours before anyone notices. The telltale signs are a brown ceiling spot, a drip in the attic or insulation that feels cold and wet. Photograph the roof side and the ceiling side before anything is moved, and call so we can protect the room and begin drying.
Large places that need a fast water response
The Anschutz Medical Campus, on the former Fitzsimons Army Hospital site, and Buckley Space Force Base are among the major institutions here. Aurora Reservoir and Cherry Creek State Park sit in or near the city and shape its drainage. For property managers of large buildings, the first step is the same as for a home: stop the source, report the affected floors and call dispatch.
| Event | Typical path | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Creek or storm flooding | Flood damage restoration | Treat as contaminated |
| Appliance or pipe leak | Water damage cleanup | Often clean water if caught early |
| Roof leak after hail | Dry ceiling, then repair | Photograph for the insurer |
| Basement seepage | Extract and dry | Restoration only, waterproofing is another trade |
Water damage in Aurora? Call and give us the cross streets.
Call (303) 952-8295ZIP codes we serve in Aurora
Aurora's ZIP codes are many, and ZIP 80013 is the largest by 2020 population at 75,099, followed by 80015 and 80016. The ones we serve with the standard Aurora designation are 80010, 80011, 80012, 80013, 80014, 80015, 80016, 80017, 80018, 80019 and 80045. Some of them also list neighboring names such as Denver or Centennial, so we confirm by street address.
Nearby, our crews also cover Lone Tree and southwest Denver, with the same steps.
What affects the cost in Aurora
- Water category and whether the water was contaminated.
- Size of the affected area and how many levels it reached.
- Finished or unfinished basement.
- Drying days and equipment count.
- Rebuild after drying.
We explain scope and price before work starts. Flood damage is usually excluded from homeowners policies, and a separate flood policy typically has a 30 day waiting period. Check your policy and ask your insurer.
Common questions
Yes. Dispatch answers every hour of every day, and active water in Aurora is handled as an emergency. Call and tell us where the water is.
We serve ZIP codes 80010, 80011, 80012, 80013, 80014, 80015, 80016, 80017, 80018, 80019 and 80045. Because Aurora spans three counties and some codes cross into neighboring cities, we confirm each address when you call.
The USGS recorded high flows on Sand Creek and Toll Gate Creek during the September 2013 flood. Check the FEMA flood map for your address.
Yes. Call dispatch, tell us which floors are affected and describe the water source. We explain scope and price before work starts.