Severe flooding struck the Four Corners region on October 23, 2026, forcing evacuations, water rescues, and emergency declarations across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona following torrential rains driven by the remnants of Hurricane Trudy.
San Juan River Crests Near Record High as Crews Rescue Stranded Residents
Heavy rains falling on mountain snow drove the San Juan River to a peak of 15.02 feet early Friday morning in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, marking the second-highest crest on record and coming within two feet of the all-time high according to NOAA.
We are closely monitoring the flash flooding in Hurricane. Our hearts are with the families whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted.Please follow all evacuation orders and local emergency guidance. We’re grateful to the first responders working to keep Utahns safe. https://t.co/8hDQ85T0Xz
Sheriff Mike Le Roux reported that about 100 people were cut off by washed-out roads in Archuleta County as floodwaters pushed through in the dark. Emergency crews deployed a Colorado National Guard Black Hawk helicopter and amphibious vehicles to conduct swift-water rescues.
Colorado National Guard rescuers used a helicopter to hoist two people from a recreational vehicle after it washed into a river, Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux told the Associated Press.
Southwest Colorado is experiencing continued heavy rain, an active Flood Watch, and cooler temperatures today. Motorists should avoid travel during the current flood warnings and flood watches issued for southwest and south-central Colorado. If you must travel, avoid driving… pic.twitter.com/BZWTcZBXwz
Archuleta County Manager Longinos Gonzalez Jr. noted that the damage is worse than what the county experienced during last year’s flooding, and sheriff’s deputies went door to door Thursday afternoon contacting approximately 150 homes in vulnerable areas.
The Archuleta School District was forced to close Friday due to damaged and washed-out roads, bridges, and culverts, while the Town of Pagosa Springs closed Town Park, Mary Fisher Park, Centennial Park, River Center Park, and Cotton Hole Park, alongside local facilities including the Visitor Center, Town Hall, Community Center, and Maintenance Facilities.
**ALERT** Severe weather is impacting southern Colorado. Flash flooding is rapid and extreme. Please follow direction of emergency personnel. Please visit https://t.co/yaPKDS5orb for live road closure and detours. pic.twitter.com/JltnouPVw7
Downstream in San Juan County, New Mexico, authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for homes as brown floodwaters swept through Farmington and surrounding valleys. San Juan County spokesperson Devin Neeley described conditions requiring guardsmen and guard boats to pull people from rooftops and houses with three to four feet of interior water.
We’re picking people off of roofs and pulling people out of houses that have 3 or 4ft (1-1.5 metres) of water in them, and there’s more water coming.
Devin Neeley, San Juan County spokesperson
Governors Declare Emergencies and Close Major Highways Across Four States
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency in 11 southwestern counties to mobilize state resources and the National Guard. Major travel routes suffered damage.
Thank you to the brave first responders and emergency managers who are working around the clock to get Coloradans to safety and help communities escape this dangerous flooding. First responders have tirelessly spent the day rescuing Coloradans stranded due to the flooding and…
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed a 26-mile stretch of U.S. 160 due to debris and road washouts. Across state lines, emergency declarations expanded rapidly.
In Utah, the city of Hurricane instituted an emergency declaration after floodwaters damaged more than 100 homes and RVs.
Plant Overflow Triggers Hazmat Warnings and Shelter Openings in Bloomfield
In Bloomfield, New Mexico, surging floodwaters from the San Juan River impacted the Bloomfield sewage treatment plant, allowing raw sewage to spill into the river according to local officials.
Neeley characterized the river as a hazardous situation and warned residents to avoid contact with the water.
Heavy rain and flooding have impacted southwestern Colorado. Last night, I declared a disaster emergency to help coordinate the state’s response and make resources, including the Colorado National Guard, available to support local communities.We’re working with local emergency… pic.twitter.com/QbLSW8t8ZV
City officials asked residents to limit water usage while emergency utility crews worked to stabilize municipal infrastructure. Evacuation shelters opened at McGee Park in Farmington and at local churches in Shiprock to house displaced families and accept evacuated RVs.
San Juan County Office of Emergency Management issued evacuations for areas including Rancho de Animas, Pryor Lane, Railroad, Wildhorse Valley, Lee Acres, Bloomfield areas near South Church and Calle Del Rio, and County Road 2620 along the Animas River, while the American Red Cross and county personnel opened evacuation shelters at the Pagosa Lakes Property HOA Clubhouse in Pagosa Springs.
Storm Remnants Bring Heavy Rains as Forecasters Track Runoff Through Saturday
Meteorologists traced the regional inundation back to the remnants of Hurricane Trudy, which tracked across the Pacific Ocean from October 15 to October 18 before transforming into a slow-moving low-pressure system that drenched the mountainous Southwest.
The heavy moisture followed weeks of extreme weather that included golf ball-size hail and tornadoes in Arizona. National Weather Service forecasters warned that although immediate rainfall was slackening on Friday, runoff would continue to swell rivers through Saturday.
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe emphasized the severity of the crisis during a Friday press briefing.
So far, we have not had any deaths but this is not anything that should be played with.
Steve Hebbe, Farmington Police Chief