Environment & Climate
Flooding in Four Corners triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders in Colorado, New Mexico
Colorado declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties as heavy rain saturated the region, meteorologists said.
The short version
- Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday led to water rescues, some from rooftops, and evacuation orders in Colorado and New Mexico.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- About 600 households were told to evacuate in Farmington, New Mexico, while the number of people rescued remains unknown.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- Colorado's governor declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties, and the city of Hurricane, Utah, declared a state of emergency.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- Earlier this week, Arizona tornadoes injured at least one person, and a National Weather Service meteorologist warned saturated ground raises flood risk.[The Guardian · ABC News]
Key facts
- Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday led to water rescues, some from rooftops, and evacuation orders in Colorado and New Mexico.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- An unknown number of people were rescued by New Mexico National Guard boats, helicopters, and amphibious vehicles, according to San Juan County spokesperson Devin Neeley.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- About 600 households were told to evacuate in Farmington, New Mexico, where areas along the San Juan River were closed, according to city spokesperson Gina Intoppa.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency in 11 counties in response to heavy rain and flooding.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- The city of Hurricane, Utah, declared a state of emergency on Thursday after floodwater reached about 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- Earlier in the week, tornadoes in Arizona blew off roofs, downed power lines, and injured at least one person.[The Guardian · ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The total number of people rescued has not been reported.[Associated Press · The Guardian · ABC News]
- A National Weather Service meteorologist said saturated ground makes further flooding more likely, an assessment rather than a confirmed outcome.[The Guardian · ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Severe flooding in US west triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation ordersThe Guardian - US
- Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation ordersABC News - US News
- Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation ordersAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press