NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedNovember 3, 2026Miami-Dade County
Flooding in Southwest US Forces Evacuations and Alters Voting Plans
Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed
Severe weekend storms in the US Southwest brought up to 10 centimeters of rain, triggering flash floods, mandatory evacuations across multiple states, road closures, and alternative voting arrangements in Colorado for midterm elections. The storm systems affected areas in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, with some rivers reaching levels near historical flood marks.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main FeedWhy It Matters
Residents in affected areas face mandatory evacuations, road closures, disrupted local businesses, and modified voting access during active midterm elections.
Key Facts
- Severe weekend storms brought up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain across the Southwest, driven by Pacific storm systems.
- All roads in Colorado's La Plata County remained closed on Monday due to widespread flooding and bridge damage.
- The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, reached 5.1 meters (16.81 pies) before beginning to recede, approaching historical flood levels from 1911.
- Colorado's secretary of state's office established alternative voting plans, allowing affected Pagosa Springs residents to visit any polling center statewide for replacement ballots.
- New Mexico officials ordered new evacuations for residents in San Juan County, including Navajo communities, and Rio Arriba County along the Chama River.
- In Sedona, Arizona, authorities ordered residents near Oak Creek to evacuate after floodwaters trapped people in their homes.
- Meteorologist Aaron Hardin reported that Tucson received two to three months of rain in the span of a couple of days.
- Police in Flagstaff searched for a man who slipped into fast-moving floodwaters and was not seen surfacing.
- Residents in Pinetop-Lakeside reported sewage backing up into homes as manhole covers popped off due to flooding.
Who's Mentioned
locationCondado San Juan“County in New Mexico where new evacuations were ordered.”locationFour Corners“Region where parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah were affected.”locationUtah“State affected by road closures and severe weather.”locationGrand Junction“Location of weather service office where meteorologist David Byers is based.”PersonKatie German“Owner and chef of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs.”locationCondado Rio Arriba“County in New Mexico under flood warning.”PersonWeber“Reporter based in Los Angeles.”locationNuevo México“State experiencing river flooding and evacuation orders.”PersonAaron Hardin“Meteorologist at the weather service in Tucson.”PersonDavid Byers“Meteorologist at the weather service office in Grand Junction.”locationCondado Yavapai“County in Arizona ordering resident evacuations.”PersonMarcelo“Reporter based in New York.”locationCondado Archuleta“Neighboring county to Pagosa Springs facing flood threats.”locationColorado“State experiencing flooding, road closures, and modified voting plans.”locationArizona“State receiving heavy rainfall, triggering evacuations and rescues.”locationGisela“Community along Tonto Creek ordered to evacuate.”PersonCasey“Reporter based in Boston.”locationCondado Gila“County in Arizona ordering total evacuation of Gisela.”locationCondado La Plata“County in Colorado where all roads remained closed due to flooding.”PersonKathy McCormack“Associated Press journalist contributing from Concord, New Hampshire.”locationPinetop-Lakeside“Area in central Arizona reporting sewer and manhole issues due to flooding.”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News agency employing contributors for the dispatch.”locationTucson“City in Arizona experiencing flash floods and water rescues.”locationPagosa Springs“Colorado town facing potential catastrophic flooding and modified voting procedu”locationFlagstaff“City in Arizona experiencing continuous rainfall and flooded roads.”locationCamp Verde“Community in Arizona ordering evacuations.”locationSedona“Arizona town where residents near Oak Creek were ordered to leave.”OrganizationBruin Coffee“Business in Pagosa Springs that was evacuated.”