Severe flooding in Four Corners triggers mass rescues and evacuations

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 19:08 · Archive

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region has forced rooftop rescues and evacuation orders across Colorado and New Mexico.

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday triggered water rescues from rooftops and forced evacuation orders in low-lying areas of Colorado and New Mexico. An unknown number of people were rescued overnight and into Friday by New Mexico Guard boats, helicopters and amphibious vehicles. Some 600 households were ordered to evacuate in Farmington, the largest city in the Four Corners region where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet, with areas along the San Juan River closed off.

The flooding followed several days of heavy rain that swamped dozens of homes in Utah. Earlier in the week, tornadoes in Arizona blew off roofs, knocked down trees and downed power lines, injuring at least one person. San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley reported that rescue efforts continued, with rescuers 'picking people off of roofs and pulling people out of houses that have 3 or 4 feet of water in them'. He said rivers continued to rise with forecasted crests being surpassed, and that more water was coming.

Neeley described the situation as serious, saying 'We're still sending deputies as I speak to get people out of their homes right now.' He added that even the sheriff's home was at risk. Farmington city spokesperson Gina Intoppa said the city was 'kind of all hands on deck' to respond to the emergency. National Guard members were deployed to assist with flooding in southwest Colorado as skies began to clear.

How it is being reported

• Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation ordersSevere flooding in the Four Corners region has led to water rescues and impassable roads.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 18:37
• Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation ordersSevere flooding in the Four Corners region has led to water rescues and impassable roads.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 18:37

In this story: Four Corners · Colorado · New Mexico · Arizona · Utah · Farmington · San Juan River · Devin Neeley

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