Another potentially catastrophic storm threatens southwestern Colorado, prompting evacuations

Authorities are urging residents in parts of southwestern Colorado to evacuate immediately ahead of another potentially catastrophic storm that could push the San Juan River to historic levels.

The warnings come as the region is still reeling from last week’s flooding, which damaged roads, bridges and public infrastructure and left communities working to recover.

Residents living in low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers should leave immediately, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday morning. People should not wait for water to rise or for another warning, the sheriff’s office said.

The San Juan River, which flows through Pagosa Springs, could crest as high as 19.71 feet about 11 p.m., the sheriff’s office warned. 

That’s nearly 2 feet higher than the devastating flood of 1911, which wiped out much of what was then the town of Pagosa Springs as it crested to 17.8 feet, the sheriff’s office said. 

First responders are stationing resources in high-risk areas and requesting additional ground search-and-rescue teams, equipment with the Colorado National Guard, aircraft and specialized rescue teams.

“Our ability to respond during the worst time of this storm will be extremely limited,” the sheriff’s office said. “Helicopters will be grounded, and first responders may not be able to reach people in danger until the storm passes and conditions improve.”

Authorities expect extensive damage from the incoming storm, which comes just a week after flooding tore through the same region. On Saturday, Gov. Jared Polis requested about $27 million in federal aid to help repair public infrastructure damaged in last week’s flooding, including roads, bridges, utilities, parks and recreation facilities.

A flood warning is in effect for the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, with National Weather Service forecasters in Grand Junction warning of a “particularly dangerous situation” that could bring just as much rain falling in the next 24 hours that fell over a two-day period during last week’s storm. 

Flooding is also forecast for the Mancos, La Plata and Animas Rivers.

“If you are in or around the southern San Juans, now is the time to make a plan and be ready to seek shelter/safer ground should the need arise,” forecasters wrote. 

Pre-evacuation orders were also issued for parts of Rio Grande County on Sunday morning, ahead of flooding expected in South Fork, Del Norte and Monte Vista, South Fork Fire Rescue said in an update Sunday.

The risk of flooding is concentrated along the South Fork of the Rio Grande and the Rio Grande downstream. As the water moves through the San Luis Valley, toward Del Norte and Monte Vista, excess runoff can cause rivers, streams and creeks to overflow.

Across Rio Grande and Mineral counties, teams are working to remove debris from the Rio Grande riverbed to protect infrastructure  and help improve water flow to reduce the possibility of new flooding, South Fork Fire Rescue said in a post to its Facebook page Saturday.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the San Juans above 10,000 feet, where 12 to 18 inches of snow is possible Sunday night through Monday. Farther north, 5 to 10 inches of snow is possible for the Flat Tops and the central Colorado mountains Sunday night and Monday, forecasters said. 

Ahead of the storm, the Wolf Creek Ski Area announced a temporary closure until mandatory evacuation orders in Archuleta County are lifted. 

“All municipal, county, and state agencies are under extreme duress, and as a precautionary measure, Wolf Creek Ski Area has determined it is in the best interest of the public to temporarily be closed,” the ski area said.