Heavy rains have triggered flood warnings and evacuations in the Four Corners area, with officials urging residents to follow local emergency alerts as rivers approach dangerous levels.
Another round of heavy rain is threatening communities across the Four Corners, a week after severe flooding damaged homes and roads.
Devin Neeley, a spokesperson for San Juan County, said last week’s evacuations have not yet been lifted, and additional evacuations are expected as the San Juan River, Animas River and La Plata River are forecasted to reach action stage.
“What’s most concerning is during the evening hours, it’s hard to see the river. You may not be paying attention, you may be asleep, and so we’re asking folks to get out before the river rises to their homes,” Neeley said.
Neeley added that crews are monitoring the rivers, but earlier darkness is complicating their efforts.
“That time change is [causing] darkness early and we can’t get good eyes on certain parts of the river in the dark,” he said. “The overnight hours are going to be crucial to make sure that we keep people safe.”
In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, officials are warning of potentially catastrophic flooding. Vicki Shaffer, spokesperson for the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, said residents in flood-prone areas who choose to stay may be cut off from help.
“If they choose to stay, they need to realize that we may not be able to reach them. Once the flooding starts, they may be on their own. There is a concern about the cell phone service in the area, and if that is knocked out, that’s going to up the risk even more,” Shaffer said.
Shaffer noted that the river crest is projected to exceed last week’s flooding levels, with the latest update showing it could reach 21.9 feet as early as 2 a.m. Monday.
National Guard ground and air teams have arrived in Pagosa Springs to assist local responders, as flooding has closed roads across southwest Colorado.
“Today’s torrential rains are bringing on new closures that we were not seeing before,” Lisa Schwantes, the spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Transportation said. “We’ve got sections of roadway that are closed from the Four Corners on U.S. 160 all the way in the very southwestern corner of our state, all the way to the San Luis Valley.”
Officials are urging residents to follow local emergency alerts and avoid flooded roads. Neeley emphasized that San Juan County has increased its planning and response capabilities due to the already saturated ground and changes in river channels caused by sediment buildup.
“We have more assets in the field, we have more people available, and we are taking this very seriously,” Neeley said. “We’re increasing our capabilities because the ground is already wet, because we’ve already seen saturation, because we’ve already seen that the river channels have changed, the sediment in the river has changed.”
Steady rain began in San Juan County on Saturday night and has continued throughout Sunday.
In Colorado, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents in low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers to evacuate immediately. Shaffer reiterated that first responders may not be able to reach people in danger until the storm passes.
“If they choose to stay, they need to realize that we may not be able to reach them. Once the flooding starts, they may be on their own. There is a concern about the cell phone service in the area, and if that is knocked out, that’s going to up the risk even more,” Shaffer said.
Highway 160 was closed at 2 p.m. Sunday, preventing traffic from entering Pagosa Springs, though vehicles are allowed to leave. There is no timetable for when the roads will reopen.
Southwest Colorado is also under a winter storm warning, with officials cautioning drivers in higher elevations to be alert for possible mudslides and rockfall.
