Flooding across the Southwest forced residents from their homes, closed roads and disrupted Election Day preparations in southwestern Colorado after another weekend of heavy rain. Some rivers were falling Monday, Nov. 2, while others continued to rise as the rain began leaving the region. Flash floods and mandatory evacuations affected parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
A series of Pacific storm systems fueled the rainfall, with the National Weather Service estimating that parts of the region could receive as much as 4 inches through Monday. Residents along Colorado's Animas River were among those evacuated. All La Plata County roads remained closed Monday because of widespread flooding and bridge damage. David Byers, a weather service meteorologist in Grand Junction, said the rain was largely ending and the following days looked drier.
In nearby Archuleta County, authorities had warned of potentially catastrophic flooding in Pagosa Springs, a town of more than 2,000 known for its hot springs and proximity to ski resorts. The San Juan River reached 16.81 feet before readings showed it receding late Sunday. Forecasters expected it to continue dropping Monday. The sheriff's office said a 1911 flood that crested at about 17.8 feet had destroyed most of the town.
Colorado's Secretary of State's office announced alternative voting arrangements for Pagosa Springs residents affected by the floods. Those who have not voted can request a replacement ballot at any voter center in Colorado, although people voting in person outside their home county can vote only in statewide races. Residents with their mail ballots can return them to any Colorado drop box or voter center by 7 p.m. on Election Day for delivery to their county clerk for signature verification and counting. La Plata County voting centers will remain open, but some county offices will operate special Tuesday hours.
Pagosa Springs officials had lifted an evacuation order from the previous week's flooding before issuing another Saturday. Katie German, owner and chef of Bruin Coffee, said Sunday that downtown had been evacuated and streets were flooded. Her chief concern was that the bridge into town could wash out, cutting off trucks delivering food, fuel and other supplies. She also expressed concern for her business, employees and neighbors.
Downstream in New Mexico, the San Juan River was still rising Monday, prompting additional evacuations in San Juan County, including some Navajo communities. The Utah Navajo Health System posted highway closures and detours. Residents also evacuated in Rio Arriba County, where a flood warning for the Rio Chama extended through Tuesday. Farther south, rising water on the Jemez River blocked access to campgrounds and fishing areas.
Arizona authorities ordered evacuations near Oak Creek in Sedona on Sunday after floodwaters trapped several people inside homes. Residents near swollen waterways in Yavapai County and Camp Verde also faced evacuation orders. Gila County officials ordered everyone to leave Gisela, a community of several hundred along Tonto Creek. Tucson experienced flash flooding, river flooding and swiftboat rescues.
Nearly continuous rain Sunday flooded Flagstaff roads and overwhelmed storm drains. Police were searching for a man who fell into fast-moving water and was not seen resurfacing. In the Pinetop-Lakeside area, the sanitary district reported displaced manhole covers and residents' accounts of sewage backing up into homes.
