<p>More than 500 stranded victims of major flooding in the US state of Colorado braced for a new round of heavy rain today that is threatening to impede rescue efforts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Officials noted that many of those unaccounted for may simply not be able to telephone loved ones because of flood damage to many cell phone towers.<br /><br />New flash floods were expected to inundate the area, which thousands were forced to evacuate. A flash flood watch was in effect through the evening for the entire Denver metro area, as well as the northern Front Range Foothills and mountains.<br /><br />Yesterday, large hail the size of peas or even marbles pummelled parts of the city of Aurora, according to local weather reports. A series of thunderstorms also struck the area.<br /><br />Raging floodwaters in the city of Boulder, already confirmed to have killed at least four people, apparently claimed the life of a fifth yesterday -- a 60-year-old woman swept away in the torrent.<br /><br />The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter that the woman was "missing presumed dead," after floodwaters destroyed her house, and officials warned that the toll would likely climb further.<br /><br />"There might be further loss of life," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told reporters. "It's certainly a high probability... We're hoping to reach everyone as soon as possible."<br /><br />But some additional help was on the way, with President Barack Obama declaring a major disaster in Colorado and ordering federal aid to support state and local efforts.<br /><br />"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," the White House said.<br /><br />And the Wyoming National Guard was helping the evacuation effort after Governor Matt Mead activated five UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 20 crew members, the state's military department said.<br /><br />In the disaster zone, helicopters circled above submerged houses in a search for survivors in the western US state, with hundreds still missing.</p>
<p>More than 500 stranded victims of major flooding in the US state of Colorado braced for a new round of heavy rain today that is threatening to impede rescue efforts.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Officials noted that many of those unaccounted for may simply not be able to telephone loved ones because of flood damage to many cell phone towers.<br /><br />New flash floods were expected to inundate the area, which thousands were forced to evacuate. A flash flood watch was in effect through the evening for the entire Denver metro area, as well as the northern Front Range Foothills and mountains.<br /><br />Yesterday, large hail the size of peas or even marbles pummelled parts of the city of Aurora, according to local weather reports. A series of thunderstorms also struck the area.<br /><br />Raging floodwaters in the city of Boulder, already confirmed to have killed at least four people, apparently claimed the life of a fifth yesterday -- a 60-year-old woman swept away in the torrent.<br /><br />The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said on Twitter that the woman was "missing presumed dead," after floodwaters destroyed her house, and officials warned that the toll would likely climb further.<br /><br />"There might be further loss of life," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told reporters. "It's certainly a high probability... We're hoping to reach everyone as soon as possible."<br /><br />But some additional help was on the way, with President Barack Obama declaring a major disaster in Colorado and ordering federal aid to support state and local efforts.<br /><br />"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," the White House said.<br /><br />And the Wyoming National Guard was helping the evacuation effort after Governor Matt Mead activated five UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 20 crew members, the state's military department said.<br /><br />In the disaster zone, helicopters circled above submerged houses in a search for survivors in the western US state, with hundreds still missing.</p>