Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for low-lying areas of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County, Colorado , as officials warn that the San Juan River could rise to near-historic levels after another round of heavy rainfall.
Authorities said the expected crest would rank among the highest ever recorded in the region.
The evacuation order covers areas along the Rio Blanco, San Juan, Navajo and Piedra rivers. The warning comes just one week after flooding washed out multiple roads across the county, leaving officials concerned that additional rainfall could worsen conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood warnings for the region and urged residents to monitor river conditions and follow evacuation instructions as additional rainfall is forecast.
Authorities warned that emergency responders may be unable to reach people who remain in evacuation zones once floodwaters rise. “They may be on their own. Emergency officials expressed concern for hunters in Colorado’s higher elevations who may not yet know that roads leading back to town have been damaged.
Residents needing assistance to evacuate have been instructed to contact the Archuleta County non-emergency dispatch line at (970) 731-2160.
“If they choose to stay, they need to realize that we may not be able to reach them once the flooding starts,” Shaffer said. “Those hot springs… are part of the evacuation zone,” Shaffer said.
She added that businesses near the river had already experienced flooding last year and again during last week’s storms.
