Brief
Four Corners region hit by severe floods, prompting rooftop rescues and evacuations
Heavy rains caused floodwaters up to four feet deep, prompting emergency evacuations and rescue operations in the Four Corners area.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Severe flooding across the Four Corners region on Friday forced rooftop rescues, evacuations and a multi‑agency response, Independent reported.
What happened
Rising water levels inundated streets and homes in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona, with some areas reporting three to four feet of water inside houses. The San Juan River in Farmington, Colorado, and other rivers in the region surged beyond forecasted crests, prompting mandatory evacuations along four rivers, including the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs.
What the reports add
San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley said rescue crews were pulling people off roofs and out of houses, while New Mexico Guard boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles continued rescues overnight. Farmington city spokesperson Gina Intoppa said about 600 households were ordered to evacuate. The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office posted a shelter‑in‑place advisory as roads remained impassable.
What was said
"We’re picking people off of roofs and pulling people out of houses that have 3 or 4 feet of water in them, and there’s more water coming," Neeley told the Independent. He added, "This is serious. We’re still sending deputies as I speak to get people out of their homes right now. In fact, our sheriff is damn near going to lose his home today." Intoppa said, "We are kind of all hands on deck."
How it came about
The flooding followed several days of heavy rain that also produced tornadoes in Arizona earlier in the week, which blew off roofs, knocked trees onto houses and downed power lines. Colorado Governor Jared Polis had already declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties, and the National Guard was deployed to assist in southwest Colorado. Similar weather patterns had caused flooding in Pagosa Springs a year earlier.
Key facts
- Rescue crews were pulling people off rooftops and out of houses with three to four feet of water. (independent.co.uk)
- About 600 households were ordered to evacuate in Farmington, Colorado. (independent.co.uk)
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties. (independent.co.uk)
- National Guard members were deployed to assist with flooding in southwest Colorado. (independent.co.uk)
- Tornadoes earlier in the week caused roof damage and downed power lines in Arizona. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders”
