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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 2, 2026Miami-Dade County

Flash flooding triggers mandatory evacuations and road closures across the Southwest and Colorado

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding, mandatory evacuations, and highway closures across parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah on Sunday. Officials in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and multiple Arizona towns ordered residents near swollen rivers and creeks to evacuate immediately as storms threatened historic flood levels.

Emergency ManagementWeatherPublic SafetyFloodsInfrastructure
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

Residents in multiple southwestern communities face mandatory displacement, closed evacuation routes, property damage from rising waters and sewage backups, and potential utility disruptions due to severe multi-day rainfall.

Key Facts

  • Heavy rainfall triggered mandatory evacuations across parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah starting Saturday evening through Monday.
  • Officials in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, warned of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River approached a forecasted crest exceeding 20 feet.
  • The 1911 historic flood in Pagosa Springs saw the San Juan River crest at approximately 17.8 feet.
  • Roads in and out of Pagosa Springs were closed, and inbound traffic on the highway was blocked.
  • Sewage was discharged into the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, prompting warnings for residents to avoid river contact.
  • Sedona, Arizona officials ordered mandatory evacuations for residents near Oak Creek after floodwaters trapped multiple people in homes.
  • Yavapai County and Camp Verde, Arizona issued evacuation orders for residents living near swollen rivers and creeks.
  • Gila County ordered a total evacuation of Gisela, a community along Tonto Creek.
  • Flagstaff, Arizona experienced flooded local roads, overwhelmed storm drains, and authorities searched for a man who fell into fast-moving floodwaters.
  • In the Pinetop-Lakeside area, manhole covers popped up and residents reported sewage backing up into homes.
  • The National Weather Service estimated up to 4 inches of rain could fall across the region, fueled by Pacific storm systems.
  • Flood warnings and watches were issued for nearly all of Arizona, parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, western New Mexico, and southern Nevada.
  • State air rescue crews in Arizona assisted with rooftop evacuations, and about 20 homes in Yavapai County required emergency relocation assistance.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMichelle Grimm“Longtime Sedona resident.”PersonKatie German“Owner and chef of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs.”locationDurango“Colorado town where evacuations were ordered.”locationAnimas River“River rising quickly in Durango.”locationTonto Creek“Creek flowing past Gisela.”PersonDavid McAtee“Spokesperson for Yavapai County.”PersonWeber“Co-author reporting from Los Angeles.”locationYavapai County“Issued evacuation orders for residents near swollen rivers.”PersonAaron Hardin“National Weather Service meteorologist in Tucson.”locationCapitol Reef National Parks“National park soaked by previous storms.”locationSan Juan River“River forecast to crest at record levels in Pagosa Springs.”PersonMarcelo“Co-author reporting from New York.”locationLa Plata County“County west of Pagosa Springs reporting public road closures.”locationOak Creek“Creek in Sedona rising close to a pedestrian bridge.”locationGisela“Community along Tonto Creek ordered to evacuate.”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Issued flood warnings and watches across multiple states.”PersonCasey“Co-author reporting from Boston.”PersonVicky Schaffer“County spokesperson reporting on river crest levels.”locationGila County“Ordered total evacuation of Gisela.”PersonLuke Willson“Resident affected by water entering a church building and garage.”locationPinetop-Lakeside“Central Arizona area reporting sewage backing up into homes.”locationZion“National park soaked by previous storms.”locationRio Blanco“River in Pagosa Springs area.”OrganizationOur Lady of Guadalupe Church“Location where people filled sandbags to prevent flooding.”locationNavajo“River in Pagosa Springs area.”locationTucson“Location of flash floods and swift boat rescues.”locationPagosa Springs“Colorado tourist town bracing for historic river levels and mandatory evacuation”locationFlagstaff“Arizona city experiencing flooded local roads and storm drain overflows.”locationCamp Verde“Community issuing evacuation orders.”locationSedona“Arizona town where officials ordered residents near Oak Creek to leave.”locationSalt Lake City“Location of weather service office issuing backcountry road warnings.”OrganizationArchuleta County Sheriff’s Office“Issued warnings regarding potentially catastrophic flooding.”OrganizationBruin Coffee“Business in Pagosa Springs downtown.”locationPiedra“River in Pagosa Springs county area.”PersonKatie Hobbs“Arizona Governor.”