Flooding in the Four Corners Region Triggers Roof Rescues and Evacuations

Severe rain on Friday caused flash flooding across the Four Corners area, submerging highways in South Fork, Colorado, and flooding dozens of homes in Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Rescue crews pulled people from rooftops and from a motorhome stranded in a river. About 600 households in Farmington, Colorado, were ordered to evacuate, while roughly 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles in Rio Grande County were surrounded by reddish-brown water. Water depths of three to four feet (approximately one to 1.5 m) were reported in many residences, and at least one person sustained an injury. As of midday, officials said no deaths had been confirmed.

The GuardianSevere flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

The flooding followed two months of heavy rain that ended a prolonged summer drought in the Southwest. The region’s rocky terrain and sparse vegetation make it naturally prone to flash floods, but the recent moisture influx has increased flood risk statewide.

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San Juan County spokesperson Devin Neeley described the situation as “serious,” emphasizing that deputies were actively extracting residents from their homes. Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux reported that two adults and three dogs were perched in a partially submerged vehicle while rescue helicopters searched for them. Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for 11 counties in southwest Colorado, and city spokesperson Gina Intoppa said Farmington was operating with “all hands on deck.”

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• Evacuations: ~600 households in Farmington.

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• Property Affected: ~80 homes and 50 RVs in Rio Grande County.

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• Water Depth: 3–4 ft (1–1.5 m) in many structures.

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• Injuries: At least one reported; no confirmed fatalities.

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• Infrastructure: County officials warned of “widespread catastrophic infrastructure damage” across state, county and private assets.

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

Additional rain is forecast through the weekend, raising concerns about further flooding.

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• “This is serious. We’re still sending deputies as I speak to get people out of their homes right now. In fact, our sheriff is damn near going to lose his home today,” — Devin Neeley, juan county spokesman

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• “We are kind of all hands on deck,” — Gina Intoppa, city spokesperson

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• “At this point we’re saturated and can’t take too much more without flooding,” — Kate Abbott

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

• “We’re picking people off of roofs and pulling people out of houses that have 3 or 4 feet (1-1.5 meters) of water in them, and there’s more water coming,” — Devin Neeley, juan county spokesman

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders