NewsWPLG Local 10October 24, 2026Miami-Dade County
Severe flooding in the U.S. Southwest triggers rooftop rescues and mandatory evacuations
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Severe flooding across the U.S. Southwest forced rooftop rescues and mandatory evacuations in Colorado and New Mexico after 10 centimeters of rain fell over saturated ground following two months of heavy precipitation. Officials reported that rising rivers reached levels surpassing historic floods from the previous year, prompting Colorado Governor Jared Polis to declare a disaster emergency in 11 counties.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
Residents in multiple states face displaced families, blocked highways, and isolation as rising river crests threaten homes and communities across the Four Corners region.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
locationFour Corners“Region where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet”locationUtah“State affected by storms and floods”locationPhoenix“City in Arizona”OrganizationServicio Meteorológico Nacional“Provided meteorological data and flood warnings”PersonDonnie Kee“Navajo Nation Deputy Chief of Police who urged evacuations”PersonTyler Scartaccini“Resident who stayed behind while his family evacuated”PersonJared Polis“Governor of Colorado who declared a disaster emergency”PersonAlex DeSmet“National Weather Service meteorologist in Salt Lake City”OrganizationAssociated Press“News agency reporting the story”locationCollege Park“Location of National Weather Service office in Maryland”locationOuray“Town along the closed U.S. 550 highway”OrganizationGuardia Nacional de Colorado“Conducted helicopter rescues in southern Colorado”locationNuevo México“State affected by severe flooding”locationConnecticut“State where reporter Dave Collins is based”locationConcord“City in New Hampshire”PersonDevin Neeley“San Juan County spokesman who reported on rescue operations”OrganizationGuardia Nacional de Nuevo México“Provided amphibious vehicles, rafts, and helicopters for rescues”PersonMcCormack“Associated Press reporter based in Concord, New Hampshire”PersonJosh Kelety“Associated Press journalist in Phoenix”locationColorado“State affected by severe flooding”locationArizona“State affected by storms and tornadoes”PersonDave Collins“Associated Press journalist in Hartford, Connecticut”PersonFrank Pereira“National Weather Service meteorologist in College Park, Maryland”locationSilverton“Town along the closed U.S. 550 highway”locationFarmington“Largest city along the San Juan River in New Mexico”locationHurricane“City in southwestern Utah”locationNueva Hampshire“State where reporter McCormack is based”locationHartford“City in Connecticut”locationMaryland“State where NWS meteorologist is based”PersonWufei Yu“Associated Press journalist in Phoenix”PersonGina Intoppa“Farmington city spokeswoman who reported evacuation numbers”locationPagosa Springs“Area in center-sur of Colorado where rainfall exceeded 5 inches”PersonSteve Hebbe“Farmington police chief who described the flooding as a once-in-a-generation eve”locationSalt Lake City“Location of NWS office in Utah”PersonMike Le Roux“Archuleta County sheriff who described the water volume as unprecedented”