Public Safety · Farmington, NM
Severe Flooding Prompts Evacuations, Rooftop Rescues Across Four Corners Region Friday
Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday prompted rooftop rescues, evacuations and road closures after two months of heavy rains saturated the area. In Farmington, New Mexico, some 600 households were ordered to evacuate along the San Juan River, while downstream Navajo Nation residents braced for floodwaters not expected to peak until late Friday or early Saturday. Southern Colorado experienced flooding described as three feet higher than a 100-year flood on the San Juan River from just a year prior, with rainfall topping 5 inches near Pagosa Springs and a helicopter rescue in Archuleta County. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties, and U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray closed due to runoff damage. Flood watches remained in effect into the weekend across southeastern Utah, with additional rain forecast for northwestern New Mexico.