Floods trigger evacuation orders across Southwest from powerful storm
Heavy rain triggered catastrophic flooding fears and mandatory evacuations across the Southwest as rivers surged and communities were cut off.
TL;DR
- Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across the Southwest.
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado, is bracing for historic levels of the San Juan River, with warnings of potentially 'catastrophic flooding'.
- Mandatory evacuations have been issued in several Arizona communities, including Sedona, Yavapai County, and Gisela in Gila County.
- Emergency crews have performed at least 16 river rescues in Pima County, Arizona, due to rising floodwaters overwhelming roads.
- The weather service has issued flood warnings and watches for nearly all of Arizona and parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, and western New Mexico.
- The storm is expected to bring significant precipitation to the region, with some areas potentially receiving three to five inches of rain.
- Halloween weekend events across Arizona were canceled or postponed due to the severe weather.
- No injuries or deaths have been reported so far, but officials are monitoring rising water levels.
- Evacuations have also been ordered in parts of Conejos County, Colorado, due to rapidly rising floodwaters.