Southern Colorado Faces Severe Flooding Amid Heavy Rainfall

Southern Colorado is grappling with severe flooding after heavy rains deposited over six inches in certain areas over a two-and-a-half-day period. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood watches and warnings, anticipating additional rainfall early this week.

The deluge has caused rivers to swell, roads to wash out, and rockslides across the region. Approximately 5.2 inches of rain fell near Vallecito Reservoir, located about 12 miles northeast of Durango, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of homes on Saturday. In Pagosa Springs, the San Juan River reached its third-highest crest since 1911.

Flood watches and warnings remain in effect until midnight Tuesday, with the NWS warning of potential heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday that could exacerbate flooding. The affected areas include Archuleta, Hinsdale, La Plata, and San Juan counties, as well as regions north of Vallecito Reservoir. The NWS stated, "Tropical moisture will stream northward from the remnants of (tropical depression) Raymond bringing another chance for widespread heavy rain increasing the threat of flash flooding across portions of southwest Colorado Monday into Tuesday."

Rainfall measurements include 6.3 inches at Wolf Creek Pass along U.S. 160, 5.6 inches in the Weminuche Wilderness Area, 3.1 inches at Pagosa Airport, and 2.5 inches at Durango Airport. Wolf Creek Pass was temporarily closed on Saturday afternoon but reopened late that night.

No fatalities or injuries have been reported as of Sunday morning. Emergency services conducted 11 high-water rescues, primarily near Vallecito Creek, where a levee breach caused flooding on Tucker Lane. Mandatory evacuations in Pagosa Springs were lifted Sunday morning, though the area remains on pre-evacuation status due to the forecasted rain. Both Archuleta and La Plata counties have declared local disaster emergencies, enabling them to request state and federal assistance.

Governor Jared Polis activated the State Emergency Operations Plan on Sunday afternoon, authorizing the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to support affected communities. The state has reportedly spent up to $1 million on disaster response efforts, including work by the Department of Transportation and the health department.

A boil-water advisory was issued Saturday for residents with water wells and septic systems along the San Juan River due to flooding, a wastewater overflow, and a water main break. Sheriff Mike Le Roux reported that the San Juan River was flowing at over 8,270 cubic feet per second at a depth of nearly 12.7 feet on Saturday, inundating trails, hot springs, and picnic areas in downtown Pagosa Springs. He cautioned residents about potential additional rainfall from tropical storm Raymond, which could bring another 2.5 to 3.6 inches between Monday afternoon and Wednesday.

Evacuated residents near Vallecito Reservoir are advised not to return until the area is deemed safe. They must obtain "rapid tag" credentials to re-enter, available at 110 E. South Street in Bayfield from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

On Friday, Grand Junction Regional Airport recorded 1.35 inches of rain, more than doubling the previous single-day record of 0.54 inches set in 1969.