Floods force evacuations across Southwest ahead of elections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 05:08 · Archive

Heavy rain caused severe flooding across the Southwest on Monday, forcing hundreds to evacuate and disrupting Election Day plans.

Unusually heavy rain sent a massive amount of water surging through flood-weary parts of the Southwest on Monday, forcing hundreds to evacuate and keeping swift-water rescue teams busy. One person died in the flooding, and police suspect a second death was weather-related.

The National Weather Service estimated up to 4 inches of rain could fall through Monday across the Four Corners region, where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah meet. The flooding was stoked by warming Pacific waters known as El Niño disrupting weather patterns. More than 20 trillion gallons of rain have fallen on the Four Corners states and Nevada in the past two weeks, according to calculations by former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, a town of about 2,000, faced particular danger. Officials had warned of 'potentially catastrophic' flooding as the San Juan River reached 16.81 feet late Sunday night, flooding downtown streets before receding Monday. The town was nearly wiped out in 1911 when the river crested at approximately 17.8 feet. The Colorado Secretary of State's office arranged alternative voting plans for evacuated or stranded residents.

Residents had to leave their homes along the Animas River in southwestern Colorado. Durango police Chief Brice Current said 'there's still a lot of people stranded' as authorities checked on those who remained at home. Volunteers helped neighbours dig mud out of their yards.

How it is being reported

• Floods swamp the arid Southwest, forcing evacuations and altering Election Day plansUnusually heavy rain sent a massive amount of water surging through flood-weary parts of the Southwest on Monday, forcing hundreds to evacuate and keeping swift-water rescue teams busy.TribLIVE · 3 Nov, 00:58
• Floods swamp the arid Southwest, forcing evacuations and altering Election Day plansPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 2 Nov, 20:45

In this story: Southwest · Four Corners · New Mexico · Arizona · Colorado · Utah · Pagosa Springs · Durango

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