Severe Flooding Hits the Southwest, Causing Widespread Damage and Evacuations
Torrential downpours struck the Southwestern United States on Monday, resulting in renewed flooding that has devastated roads and communities still recovering from a prior deluge just a week earlier. The impact is felt across the high desert and mountainous areas of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, where some towns experienced rainfall amounts twice that of typical totals for the entire month of November.
Local resident Shawn Koss, whose home along the Animas River in Flora Vista, New Mexico, experienced flooding, expressed his disbelief: “I’ve never seen anything like this. The roads are cut in half. Gas stations look like lakes. It’s devastating.”
Statewide Emergency Declared in Arizona
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a statewide emergency in response to the escalating situation. In the Four Corners region, where flooding has hit hardest, officials are still assessing the extent of the damage.
Many areas remain under evacuation orders, with landslides hampering access. Local law enforcement is struggling to navigate roads blocked by debris and thick mud.
Brice Current, police chief in Durango, Colorado, noted, “We’re so cut off from some of those places. It’s underwater and impassable.”
Impact on Election Preparations
The timing of the flooding, just days before Election Day, has forced election officials in Colorado to hastily identify alternative voting locations and assist displaced voters with emergency ballot requests.
As weather conditions improved slightly on Monday, the threat of flooding continued downstream, particularly in lower-lying cities like Farmington, New Mexico, where officials issued new evacuation orders due to the overflowing Animas River.
Fatalities and Ongoing Risks
Tragically, authorities in Flagstaff, Arizona, reported two fatalities linked to the flooding—a 73-year-old man from New York and another unidentified individual discovered in a stormwater drainage system.
Emergency services are still working to assist individuals cut off from help due to damaged cell networks, and while no persons are currently reported missing, they have encountered numerous stranded residents.
El Niño Conditions Contributing to Severe Weather
The Southwest had endured a prolonged drought throughout much of the summer, but recent weeks have seen a significant increase in precipitation due to a strong El Niño weather pattern. This has not only replenished reservoirs but has also heightened the risk of sudden floods.
Residents are experiencing flood fatigue, having evacuated just a week ago only to be alerted once again to potentially dangerous conditions. Local contractor Tim Ryan remarked, “Our guards were already up because it just happened. It was very fresh in our memories.”
Residents Face New Challenges
As residents return to homes filled with mud and mold, the outlook remains grim. Brandy Shaw from South Fork, Colorado, articulated her despair over the condition of her trailer, already marred by the previous flooding.
National Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer Tate noted that central Arizona has recorded the highest rainfall totals over the last two months, adding that drier weather is forecasted in the upcoming days despite warnings of continued flooding in various regions.
Record Rainfall across the Region
Meteorologist Robert Rickey reported rainfall totals ranging from two to six inches across the affected areas, with Flagstaff airport recording 3.37 inches on just one day—nearly double the average rainfall for the entire month of November.
Rivers have overflowed their banks, with the Little Colorado River near Winslow, Arizona, reaching a record height of over 25 feet. In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, approximately 2.4 inches of rain exacerbated flooding of the San Juan River, leading one home to succumb to the waters.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce remains optimistic about recovery, stating, “We’re encouraging people to keep loving Pagosa.” Although the downtown area is still under evacuation orders, she successfully retrieved valuable local documents from the museum to preserve the community’s history.
Reporting from South Fork, Colorado by Stephanie Gates.
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