Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Vicki Shaffer confirms that downtown Pagosa Springs has been evacuated and that all roads leading into Pagosa Springs will be closed at 2 p.m. Sunday.
ARCHULETA COUNTY, Colo. —
A mandatory evacuation notice is in effect for all low-lying areas along the Rio Blanco, San Juan, Navajo and Piedra rivers in Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County, Colorado. Heavy rains are expected, one week after floods washed out several roads.
According to the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, the San Juan River is now expected to surpass the previous high of 17.8 feet, which was set in 1911. Officials now say the San Juan River could crest as high as 19.7 feet on Sunday.
Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Vicki Shaffer confirms that downtown Pagosa Springs has been evacuated and that all roads leading into Pagosa Springs will be closed at 2 p.m. Sunday. Outbound traffic will be permitted.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is closing off the north end access to CO 151 at mile marker 30 due to rising waters. Access to residences along CO 151 between mile markers 27 and 30 will be closed until flooding recedes in the area.
Shaffer says people who choose to wait out the storm are doing so at their own risk.
“If they choose to stay, they need to realize that we may not be able to reach them once the flooding starts,” she said. “They may be on their own.”
Shaffer added that there is also concern for hunters in higher elevations, who may not be aware inclement weather hit low-lying areas last week, with another round on the way.
“They’ve been out all week, and they haven’t tried to come back out yet,” she said. “We’re concerned that once they try to come out, they’re going to realize that they’re stuck behind washed-out roads.”
Anyone who needs help evacuating is asked to call Archuleta County’s non-emergency dispatch line at (970) 731-2160.
