Historic river levels inundated communities in Colorado and New Mexico as emergency crews carried out rescues and officials warned of more flooding.
FARMINGTON, NM — Severe flooding across the Four Corners region forced hundreds of households to evacuate Friday as emergency crews rescued people from rooftops, roads became impassable and swollen rivers threatened communities from southern Colorado into northwestern New Mexico.
The flooding followed weeks of unusually persistent rain that left the region saturated before another round of storms moved through. About 4 inches of rain had fallen in parts of the region since Wednesday, while some areas around Pagosa Springs, Colorado, received more than 5 inches. Officials said the soaked ground could absorb little additional water, sending runoff quickly into streams and rivers. Flood warnings and watches remained in effect across portions of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah as authorities monitored rising rivers and additional rainfall.
Farmington, where the San Juan and Animas rivers meet, became one of the centers of the emergency. About 600 households were ordered to evacuate as water rose through low-lying neighborhoods. New Mexico National Guard crews and other rescuers used boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles to reach stranded residents. Some people were pulled from rooftops or homes surrounded by several feet of water as officials warned that river levels could continue climbing even after rain temporarily stopped.
The National Weather Service reported major flooding on the San Juan River at Farmington. The river was already far above its 8.5-foot flood stage Friday and had exceeded the previous flood-of-record level cited by forecasters. The Animas River also rose above flood stage, with water expected to inundate portions of Farmington’s riverwalk and nearby low areas. Farther downstream, the San Juan River at Shiprock was forecast to rise substantially into Saturday, keeping communities on the Navajo Nation on alert.
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation” event and urged residents to take evacuation notices seriously. Navajo Nation Deputy Police Chief Donnie Kee also urged families downstream to make preparations before the rising water arrived. Emergency officials said the danger could shift from one community to another as large volumes of water moved through the San Juan River system.
Flooding was also severe around Pagosa Springs and elsewhere in southern Colorado. Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for low-lying and flood-prone areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers. Pagosa Springs declared a local disaster emergency after floodwaters damaged roads, bridges, culverts and other public infrastructure. Portions of U.S. Highway 160 and other roads were closed, while local officials urged people in areas cut off by high water to remain where they were rather than attempt to cross damaged or flooded routes.
The San Juan River at Pagosa Springs reached about 15 feet early Friday, according to local officials and federal water data. That was well above the roughly 12.8-foot crest recorded during flooding a year earlier and approached levels rarely seen in the community’s historical record. Archuleta County officials described widespread damage and said some properties that escaped the previous year’s flooding were affected this time. Authorities were still working to determine how many homes, roads and bridges had been damaged.
The Colorado National Guard joined rescue operations after local responders requested additional help. A Black Hawk helicopter was used to lift two people and three dogs from a recreational vehicle that became trapped after being swept into floodwaters. Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux said the volume of water was unprecedented and had caused extensive damage. As of Friday’s reports, authorities in the county were not aware of any deaths or serious injuries linked to the flooding.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency covering 11 counties as flooding damaged transportation routes across the southern and southwestern parts of the state. U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray was among the roads closed because of runoff damage. In Rio Grande County, floodwater surrounded recreational vehicles and partially submerged trucks. Crews across the region were assessing infrastructure while trying to reach residents isolated by washed-out or flooded roads.
The broader storm pattern also affected Utah and Arizona. Hurricane, Utah, declared an emergency after floodwater reached areas around roughly 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles earlier in the week. Arizona had been struck by severe storms and suspected tornadoes before the heaviest Four Corners flooding developed. Forecasters said repeated moisture from Pacific tropical systems, combined with already saturated soil, helped create conditions for unusually widespread flooding across a region that is normally much drier.
Flood risks remained into the weekend as rivers continued carrying water downstream and forecasters monitored the possibility of additional heavy rain. Emergency crews were continuing damage assessments and rescue work while officials in New Mexico, Colorado and the Navajo Nation watched river gauges for new crests and warned that some communities could remain cut off even after water levels begin to fall.
Author note: Last updated October 24, 2026.