SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. — Severe flooding is causing evacuations and emergency declarations in cities in the Four Corners region of New Mexico and in southern Colorado.
San Juan County is set to declare a state of emergency over the flooding on the San Juan and Animas rivers. Each river is set to crest later Friday and into Saturday. The county urged anyone along the river to evacuate.
Farmington held a press conference Friday afternoon on the flooding. The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management issued evacuations in these areas: Rancho de Animas (Del Rio Court, Vista del Rio Court, Linda Lane), Pryor Lane and Railroad.
“This is a once-in-a-generation time. This is singular and this is real. So far, we have not had any deaths but this is not anything that should be played with,” Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said.
Emergency officials also anticipate evacuations for these streets: McColm Dr., South DeKalb St., Meadow View Dr., Melba Lane, Oscar Lane, Oscar Drive, Shannon Lane, Curtis Place, Riverside Drive, La Puenta, Silver River Adobe Inn and River Ranch Road.
An interactive map showing flood warning areas, sandbag distribution sites, road closures and the emergency shelter location is available at https://perimetermap.com, according to San Juan County.
Officials set up a shelter at McGee Park for people who need to leave their homes. People who need to evacuate and have an RV can bring it to McGee Park and park in the RV1 Parking lot.
Eyewitness John’s photo from West Main in Farmington shows the San Juan River overflowing. Emergency officials said the storm surge started impacting Farmington at around noon.
Floodwaters forced the City of Bloomfield to shut down wastewater treatment operations at the Water Reclamation Facility. Authorities said Friday, “the San Juan River is a hazmat situation,” because wastewater is entering the river untreated.
The City is urging residents and businesses to minimize water usage until further notice.
“Our first priority is the safety of our residents and employees. I’m grateful for the work of our police officers, utility personnel, emergency responders, and everyone helping our community through this flooding. We’re asking residents to do their part by limiting wastewater discharge until our treatment facility can safely resume operations. Every little bit helps,” Mayor John Mohler stated.
So far, around 30 people have been evacuated in San Juan County, which has seen “over 3,000 electrical outages”. Anyone who hasn’t evacuated areas that have been asked to evacuate are “putting a drain on resources,” according to authorities.
In southern Colorado, Pagosa Springs ordered evacuations Thursday before the river crested Friday morning at 15.02 feet. It was the second-highest crest on record and over major flooding stage of 12.6 feet. The town prompted a disaster emergency overnight.
At 2 p.m. on Thursday, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said evacuation orders were mandatory. The Town of Pagosa Springs posted a public safety notice for residents and visitors in low-lying areas.
The notice said active evacuation warning zones include the San Juan River, Rio Blanco River, Navajo River and Piedra River.
In Durango, the La Plata County Sheriff ordered the Animas River to be closed to all watercraft “until further notice.” This is due to “hazardous swift water conditions and an immediate threat to public safety.” It applies to watercraft, such as paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and rafts. Law enforcement will patrol popular areas. They will reopen the river when conditions improve.
The American Red Cross of Western Colorado opened evacuation shelters in Durango at the La Plata County Fairgrounds – and in Pagosa Springs at the Pagosa Lakes Property HOA Clubhouse.
The evacuation center is providing food, water, medical care and mental health support. It is also pet-friendly and open to everyone for free assistance with no ID needed.
