Second wave of floods forces evacuations in six Colorado counties

Swollen rivers forced officials to order mandatory evacuations across six counties in southwestern Colorado on Monday. The new orders affect residents in La Plata, Archuleta, Rio Grande, Mineral, Conejos, and Montezuma counties. Towns under evacuation include Pagosa Springs, Durango, Del Norte, Ignacio, and Mancos.

The crisis stems from a second major storm system that arrived within two weeks of the first. On Sunday, an estimated 3 to 4 inches of rain fell on land that had not drained from the previous deluge. Eric Petersen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo, explained that the ground was already saturated and reservoirs were full. Consequently, the new water had nowhere to go and moved directly into river basins.

The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs crested at 16.81 feet on Sunday night. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gauges recorded this as the second-highest level on record. The peak was two feet higher than the crest recorded on October 23. Lucas Boyer, a meteorologist based in Grand Junction, noted that runoff from smaller creeks is still feeding larger rivers. He stated that flood impacts would continue throughout the day.

Archuleta County officials announced that the previous storm damaged more than 500 homes and 150 miles of road. Sheriff’s officials expect extensive damage from the new water. Cell service was cut to parts of the county, including downtown Pagosa Springs. Katie German, owner of Bruin Coffee, reported that streets in the town center were flooded. She expressed concern that the bridge into town might wash out, which would prevent trucks from delivering food and fuel.

In La Plata County, Sheriff Sean Smith closed all county roads on Sunday due to dangerous flood conditions and debris flows. While the overarching closure lifted on Monday morning, nearly three dozen roads remained partially closed. The Animas River was closed to all watercraft. Crews in Durango focused on clearing mud and debris from roads to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

Voting logistics changed in response to the water. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced that residents in flooded areas can receive replacement ballots at any polling center. Voters in their home county will receive identical ballots for local and state races. Those voting in a different county will only cast ballots for statewide races. Archuleta County moved several voting centers to locations such as the county courthouse and the Pagosa Springs Election Office.

Highway closures affected major routes as of Monday. The Colorado Department of Transportation listed U.S. 550 and U.S. 160 as closed in both directions in several segments near Durango and Pagosa Springs. Colorado 151, Colorado 112, and Colorado 17 were also closed in specific sections. Law enforcement urged residents to avoid non-essential travel while crews assessed the damage.