Communities across Arizona and Colorado are grappling with severe flooding and mandatory evacuations as powerful storms unleash torrential rainfall, threatening to cause "catastrophic" conditions. Rivers are surging to potentially historic levels, prompting officials to warn residents of the dangers.
In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a town of over 2,000 residents, officials are bracing for the San Juan River to crest at unprecedented heights. The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office warned of a "potentially catastrophic flood event," noting that the forecast crest of over 20 feet exceeds the level of a devastating flood in 1911 that largely destroyed the original town.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued in several Arizona communities. In Sedona, residents near Oak Creek were ordered to leave as floodwaters rose, trapping some individuals in their homes. Yavapai County and Camp Verde also issued evacuation orders for areas near swollen rivers and creeks. Further southeast, the entire community of Gisela, a small town of several hundred residents along Tonto Creek in Gila County, was ordered to evacuate.
Tucson, Arizona, has also experienced flash floods and river flooding, necessitating swift water rescues. Meteorologists report that the region is receiving "two or three months of rain in a span of a couple of days." By Sunday afternoon, emergency crews had conducted at least 16 river rescues across Pima County as rising waters submerged roads and stranded motorists. The Pima County Sheriff's Office advised drivers against crossing flooded streets, emphasizing the "Turn Around, Don't Drown!" message.
The heavy rains, fueled by Pacific storm systems, are expected to continue through Monday, with some areas potentially receiving up to four inches of rain. Flood warnings and watches have been issued for much of Arizona, parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, and western New Mexico. In Utah, previous storms have saturated the ground, increasing the risk of excessive runoff in areas like Washington County and Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks, potentially making backcountry roads impassable.
Officials in Pagosa Springs urged residents in low-lying areas along several rivers to evacuate to designated shelters, cautioning that emergency crews may have limited availability during the storm's peak. The highway into town was closed to inbound traffic, and a sewage discharge into the San Juan River led to advisories against contact with the water.
Katie German, owner of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs, expressed concern about the town's supply chain if the sole bridge washes out. She noted that many residents had just seen an evacuation order lifted from the previous week before a new one was issued due to the worsening forecast.
In Sedona, resident Michelle Grimm described never having seen helicopter rescues from neighborhoods or entire areas submerged in water, expressing deep worry for her community as Oak Creek's water levels neared a pedestrian bridge. Videos shared by the Sedona fire department showed powerful floodwaters inundating vehicles and rushing past homes.
The persistent rain disrupted planned Halloween weekend events across Arizona, leading to postponements and cancellations, including the Dia de los Muertos festival at St. Mary's Basilica in Phoenix and the Arizona State Fair.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs stated that state air rescue crews are assisting with rooftop evacuations, and transportation crews are working to clear debris. The storm system is expected to move eastward, potentially bringing significant precipitation to other parts of the country.
In Colorado, evacuations were also ordered in parts of Conejos County due to rapidly rising floodwaters. Residents were advised that they might not be able to return home for several days and urged to seek higher ground.