NewsWPLG Local 10November 2, 2026Miami-Dade County
Flash flooding triggers evacuations in Southwest and dire warning for Colorado spa town
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across parts of the Southwest on Sunday, leading officials in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, to warn of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River rises toward historic levels. Communities in Arizona, including Sedona, Camp Verde, Gisela, and Tucson, also ordered evacuations, closed roads, and performed swift-water rescues due to unprecedented rainfall amounts.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
Residents in multiple Southwest states face mandatory displacements, road closures, and localized utility disruptions as storms dump months' worth of rain in a span of days.
Key Facts
- Severe rainfall caused flash flooding and mandatory evacuations across parts of the Southwest starting Saturday evening through Monday.
- Pagosa Springs, Colorado, warned of potentially catastrophic flooding as the San Juan River was forecast to crest above 20 feet.
- The 1911 historical 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 sewage was discharged into the San Juan River, prompting warnings to avoid contact.
- In Sedona, Arizona, officials ordered mandatory evacuations for residents near Oak Creek after multiple people were trapped in their homes.
- Gila County ordered the total evacuation of Gisela, a community along Tonto Creek.
- Tucson experienced flash flooding, river flooding, and swift boat rescues after receiving months' worth of rain in a couple of days.
- Flagstaff police and city officials closed roads after nonstop rain flooded local streets and overwhelmed storm drains.
- The National Weather Service issued flood warnings and watches for nearly all of Arizona, parts of southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, western New Mexico, and southern Nevada.
- Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs stated that state air rescue crews and transportation crews were assisting with rooftop evacuations and clearing debris.
Who's Mentioned
PersonBrian Hurley“senior meteorologist with the weather service in Maryland”PersonMichelle Grimm“Sedona resident”PersonKatie German“business owner in Pagosa Springs”locationWashington County“Utah county cited for potential runoff risks”locationTonto Creek“creek overflowing in Gila County”PersonDavid McAtee“spokesperson for Yavapai County”locationYavapai County“Arizona county issuing evacuation orders”PersonAaron Hardin“National Weather Service meteorologist in Tucson”locationCapitol Reef National Parks“national park cited for potential runoff risks”locationSan Juan River“river forecast to crest at historic levels in Colorado”PersonMarcelo“article writer reporting from New York”PersonVicki Shaffer“public information officer for Archuleta County Sheriff's Office”locationLa Plata County“Colorado county with closed public roads”locationOak Creek“creek rising near Sedona neighborhoods”locationGisela“small community along Tonto Creek ordered to evacuate”OrganizationNational Weather Service“provided meteorological data and flood forecasts”PersonCasey“article writer reporting from Boston”PersonVicky Schaffer“spokesperson for Archuleta County”locationGila County“Arizona county ordering total evacuation of Gisela”PersonLuke Willson“resident affected by flooding at local church”locationZion“national park cited for potential runoff risks”locationRio Blanco“river in Colorado mentioned in flood alerts”OrganizationOur Lady of Guadalupe Church“church in Flagstaff affected by flooding”locationNavajo“river in Colorado mentioned in flood alerts”locationTucson“Arizona city experiencing flash floods and boat rescues”locationPagosa Springs“southwestern Colorado town facing potential catastrophic flooding”locationFlagstaff“mountainous Arizona city experiencing flooded roads”locationCamp Verde“Arizona community issuing evacuation orders”locationSedona“Arizona tourist destination with mandatory evacuations”locationSalt Lake City“weather service office location”OrganizationArchuleta County Sheriff’s Office“issued warnings about potential catastrophic flooding”OrganizationBruin Coffee“coffee shop in Pagosa Springs”OrganizationArizona Department of Transportation“reported highway closures”PersonChristopher Weber“Associated Press writer”locationPiedra“river in Colorado mentioned in flood alerts”PersonKatie Hobbs“Arizona Governor”