Southwest Flood Damage Could Reach $300 Million as More Rain Forecast
Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding across the Four Corners region, prompting evacuations, rescue operations and a federal disaster aid package, while officials warn of additional rain this weekend.
More than four days of heavy rain have turned parts of the arid Four Corners region into flood-ridden areas, with officials warning that additional storms are expected later this week. In Bluff, Utah, the San Juan River rose enough to submerge sections of the town, prompting Mayor Josh Ewing to note that the community is still recovering from saturated ground and remains on alert for further rain.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said damage assessments could total up to $300 million, encompassing debris removal, road and bridge repairs, and long-term recovery work. President Donald Trump announced that federal disaster assistance would be available, with the state required to match 25 percent of the funds.
“I don’t care if it’s a billion dollars. The goal here is to identify every state, every federal, every local resource and get it where it belongs,” Lujan Grisham said.
At least two fatalities were confirmed in New Mexico, including a woman swept away in Santa Fe and another in Socorro County. Rescue efforts continued across San Juan County, where between 200 and 300 people were evacuated, according to county spokesperson Devin Neeley.
In Colorado’s Archuleta County, floodwaters receded below stage in Pagosa Springs after a surge, but road closures and isolated residents persisted. Sheriff Mike Le Roux said the National Guard and search-and-rescue crews were still accessing people cut off by washed-out roads.
The Navajo Nation, spanning Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, also suffered damage, with wastewater treatment lagoons breached near Montezuma Creek, raising concerns about water contamination. Residents were advised to avoid floodwater contact and to clean themselves promptly if exposure occurred.
Families such as Lupita Villa’s, who evacuated from Farmington, New Mexico, returned to find homes flooded with mud and damaged furnishings, forcing them to stay with relatives on higher ground while they consider next steps.