Flash Floods Prompt Evacuations Across Arizona and Southwestern Colorado
Officials in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, warned of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River was forecast to crest at more than 20 feet late on Sunday night, according to The Guardian. The warning is part of a wave of flash flooding, which develops quickly when heavy rain falls faster than the ground and waterways can absorb it, that has forced evacuations in Arizona and Colorado since Sunday, November 1.
Pagosa Springs is a town of more than 2,000 people in the Rockies, near ski resorts and known for its hot springs. The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office said the San Juan River crested at about 17.8 feet during the 1911 flood, which wiped out most of the town at that time. By sundown on Sunday, the river had reached about 14 feet, county spokesperson Vicky Schaffer said. Roads in and out of the town were closed, and residents not under evacuation orders were urged to stay home. The National Weather Service extended a flood warning for the river at Pagosa Springs, which covers Archuleta County.
In Arizona, officials in Sedona ordered residents near Oak Creek to leave immediately after floodwaters trapped several people in their homes. Yavapai County and the community of Camp Verde issued evacuation orders for people living near swollen rivers and creeks. In Gila County, officials ordered the total evacuation of Gisela, a community along Tonto Creek.
Tucson experienced flash floods, river flooding and swift boat rescues during the weekend rainfall. In Flagstaff, authorities were searching for a man who slipped and fell into fast-moving floodwaters and was not seen resurfacing.
The National Weather Service estimated that as much as 4 inches of rain could fall across the Southwest, fed by storm systems moving in from the Pacific, with rain expected to continue through Monday. The agency issued flood warnings and watches for nearly all of Arizona, as well as parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, western New Mexico and southern Nevada.
