Flash Flooding Forces Evacuations in Southwest, Dire Warning Issued for Colorado Spa Town

Heavy rainfall on Sunday sparked flash flooding in parts of the Southwest, leading to mandatory evacuations in Arizona and Colorado, and a dire warning for a Colorado spa town. ¹²⁴⁵

The deluge, which brought up to 4 inches of rain to the region, prompted officials to issue evacuation orders in several communities. In Arizona, Sedona saw vehicle and home inundation as Oak Creek rose, with at least 100 homes falling within the evacuation zone. Meanwhile, Gisela, a small community in Gila County, Arizona, was completely evacuated. ³

In Colorado, Pagosa Springs, home to over 2,000 residents, faced a potential 'catastrophic flooding' scenario. Low-lying areas in the town were instructed to move to designated shelters, and highway entry to Pagosa Springs was closed to inbound traffic. The San Juan River, a key factor in the area’s flooding risk, is forecast to crest at over 19 feet around 11:00 p.m., a level that could pose significant danger to the local population. ³

Flood warnings and watches covered nearly all of Arizona and parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm system. Several highways in Arizona were also closed due to heavy rains, further complicating travel and rescue efforts. ³

The current situation in Pagosa Springs is particularly concerning, given that the San Juan River previously crested at approximately 17.8 feet during the 1911 flood, a historic event that serves as a benchmark for the river’s capacity. This historical context adds weight to the dire warnings issued for the present day. ³

Previous storms had already contributed to excessive rain runoff in Washington County, Utah, and national parks, setting the stage for the current flooding crisis. As the region continues to cope with the immediate threat of flash flooding, residents and officials alike are keeping a close eye on the San Juan River’s levels and the broader weather patterns. ³

What we know

• Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of the Southwest on Sunday. ¹²⁴⁵
• Mandatory evacuations were ordered due to the flash flooding in the Southwest. ¹²⁴⁵
• A Colorado spa town received a dire warning related to the weather conditions. ¹²⁴⁵
• Flash flooding triggered evacuations in Arizona and Colorado due to heavy rainfall. ³
• The San Juan River is forecast to crest at over 19 feet around 11:00 p.m. ³
• Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with over 2,000 residents, faced potential 'catastrophic flooding'. ³
• Evacuation orders were issued in Sedona, Arizona, for residents near Oak Creek. ³
• Gisela, a small community in Gila County, Arizona, was totally evacuated. ³
• Up to 4 inches of rain was estimated to fall across the region. ³
• Flood warnings and watches covered nearly all of Arizona and parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. ³
• Low-lying areas in Pagosa Springs were instructed to move to designated shelters. ³
• Highway entry to Pagosa Springs was closed to inbound traffic. ³
• Sedona experienced vehicle and home inundation due to Oak Creek rising. ³
• At least 100 homes were in the Sedona evacuation zone. ³
• Several highways in Arizona were closed due to heavy rains. ³
• The San Juan River previously crested at approximately 17.8 feet during the 1911 flood. ³
• Previous storms contributed to excessive rain runoff in Washington County, Utah, and national parks. ³