Colorado Town Faces Historic Flood as Southwest Rains Trigger Evacuations

Residents of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, faced mandatory evacuations on Sunday as the San Juan River approached historic levels. Town officials warned of potentially catastrophic flooding after the river was forecast to crest at 21.9 feet late Sunday night. This projection exceeds the previous record of 17.8 feet, which was set during a devastating flood in 1911 that destroyed much of the town.

By sundown on Sunday, the river had already reached approximately 14 feet, according to Vicky Schaffer, a spokesperson for Archuleta County. Officials closed roads in and out of the town and urged residents not under evacuation orders to remain indoors. The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office stated on Facebook that the current event was potentially catastrophic, noting that emergency crews might be limited during the storm's peak.

Katie German, owner and chef of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs, reported that downtown areas had been evacuated and street flooding was present. She expressed concern that the single bridge leading into the town could wash out, preventing trucks carrying food and fuel from entering. German said, "I’m worried about my business, worried about my employees, definitely worried for everybody in this town." Officials advised residents in low-lying areas near the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra rivers to seek shelter at a local church.

Heavy rainfall also forced evacuations in northern New Mexico and central Arizona. In Sedona, Arizona, officials ordered residents near Oak Creek to leave immediately after floodwaters trapped people in their homes. David McAtee, a spokesperson for Yavapai County, stated that nearly 20 homes required emergency assistance for relocation, with no injuries or deaths reported. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said state air rescue crews assisted with rooftop evacuations while transportation crews cleared debris.

Further south, officials in Gila County ordered the total evacuation of Gisela, a community of several hundred residents along Tonto Creek. In Tucson, flash floods and river flooding prompted swift boat rescues. Aaron Hardin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tucson, said the region was receiving two to three months of rain in a couple of days. The weather service estimated up to 4 inches of rain could fall across the area, fueled by Pacific storm systems.

In Flagstaff, rain fell nearly nonstop on Sunday, overwhelming storm drains and flooding roads. Authorities searched for a man who fell into fast-moving floodwaters outside Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Luke Willson, a volunteer at the church, said water entered the garage, basement, and office areas. He noted, "The pumps are pumping, but they’re not pumping fast enough." In the Pinetop-Lakeside area, residents reported sewage backing into homes as manhole covers popped up due to the flooding.