Flash Floods Force Evacuations in Southwest

Heavy rains triggered flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across the southwestern United States on Sunday. The weather system affected a wide region, including Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and several communities in Arizona and New Mexico. Officials warned that the San Juan River in Colorado could reach historical highs by late Sunday evening.

In Pagosa Springs, a town of more than 2,000 people in the Rocky Mountains, local authorities posted warnings on Facebook. They cited forecasts predicting the river would peak above 20 feet around 11 p.m. on Sunday. Archuleta County police noted that the river reached approximately 17.8 feet during the destructive flood of 1911. They described the current situation as a potentially catastrophic event.

By Sunday evening, the river level had risen to about 14 feet, according to Vicky Schaffer, a county spokesperson. Officials closed all roads entering and leaving the town. They instructed residents who were not under evacuation orders to stay home. The city also closed its only access bridge to traffic entering the area during the peak of the storm.

Evacuation orders extended to northern New Mexico and central Arizona. In Sedona, Arizona, authorities ordered an immediate evacuation for residents living near Oak Creek. Rapidly rising water trapped several people inside their homes. The Yavapai County and Camp Verde officials also issued evacuation orders for those living near rivers and streams. More than 100 miles to the southeast, Gila County officials evacuated the entire community of Gisela.

Aaron Hardin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tucson, stated that the region could receive two to three months of rainfall in just two days. The weather service issued flood warnings for nearly all of Arizona, parts of southern Utah, southwest Colorado, and western New Mexico. Forecasts predicted up to four inches of rain driven by Pacific storm systems. The Salt Lake City office warned that previous storms had saturated the ground, increasing runoff in Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks.

In Flagstaff, Arizona, rain fell continuously throughout Sunday. The precipitation flooded local roads and caused storm drains to overflow. Police reported searching for a man who slipped into fast-moving water and did not resurface. Near the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, residents filled sandbags to prevent water from entering the temple. Luke Willson reported that water had entered the garage, basement, and an office containing computers.

Katie German, owner of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs, said the town center was evacuated. She expressed concern that the single access bridge could be washed out, preventing food and fuel trucks from entering the town. Local officials had lifted a flood order from the previous week only to implement a new one on Saturday night. In Durango, Colorado, evacuation orders were also issued as the Animas River rose quickly. In Sedona, state rescue teams used helicopters to remove people from rooftops. Governor Katie Hobbs stated that no injuries or deaths had been reported as of Sunday.