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NewsWPLG Local 10October 27, 2026Miami-Dade County

Flooding swamps the US Southwest as officials tally damage and eye more rain

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Severe flooding across parts of New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado has triggered evacuations, cut off communities, and prompted federal disaster assistance announcements. Officials warn residents to avoid floodwaters due to wastewater treatment contamination while preparing for additional rain forecasted for the weekend.

Disaster ReliefWeatherInfrastructureEmergency Services
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10

Why It Matters

Residents across multiple states face property destruction, utility outages, and evacuations, while New Mexico officials estimate recovery costs could reach $300 million.

Key Facts

  • New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham estimated flood damage in New Mexico alone could total $300 million.
  • President Donald Trump announced federal disaster assistance would be available to New Mexico, requiring a 25% state match.
  • The tiny town of Bluff in southeastern Utah was evacuated due to San Juan River flooding.
  • Isabelle Beulaygue, 39, died after being swept away while attempting to cross a flooded arroyo in her vehicle in Santa Fe.
  • The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority reported that wastewater treatment lagoons in Montezuma Creek were 'completely breached,' potentially contaminating the San Juan River.
  • In Bluff, floodwaters hit 17 homes and five businesses since a surge on Friday.
  • In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, the San Juan River dropped back below flood stage Monday after causing severe flooding and triggering air rescues.
  • Hundreds of homes remained evacuated or cut off by flooded roads along the San Juan and Animas rivers, with many still without power.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationNavajo Nation“Vast region spanning three states affected by damage”locationFour Corners“Region affected by flooding”locationUtah“State part of Navajo Nation and location of Bluff”locationSanta Fe“Location where a fatality occurred”locationAlbuquerque“Dateline location in New Mexico”PersonIsabelle Beulaygue“Victim swept away in Santa Fe”locationBluff“Evacuated town in southeastern Utah”locationSan Juan River“River causing flooding”OrganizationNavajo Tribal Utility Authority“Reported breached wastewater treatment lagoons”locationColorado“State upstream affected by flooding”locationAnimas Rivers“Rivers experiencing flooding”locationArizona“State part of Navajo Nation”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Provided weather forecasts for rain”PersonMichelle Lujan Grisham“New Mexico Governor discussing flood damage estimates and state resources”locationNew Mexico“State experiencing flood damage”locationFort Collins“Location of reporter Gruver”OrganizationNational Guard“Assisting with access to cut-off areas”PersonJosh Ewing“Mayor of Bluff, Utah”locationFarmington“New Mexico town along San Juan River”locationMontezuma Creek“Location downstream from Bluff”PersonLupita Villa“Resident of Farmington whose rental home flooded”PersonDonald Trump“President announcing federal disaster assistance”locationPagosa Springs“Hot springs resort town in Colorado”locationArchuleta County“Southern Colorado county experiencing crisis”PersonMike Le Roux“Archuleta County Sheriff”