Story perspectives

San Juan County Orders Evacuations as Floodwaters Surge

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 6:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari ordered evacuations as floodwaters surged across the Four Corners.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
About four feet of water flooded Ferrari’s home.
More than 200 people were rescued from rooftops and flooded homes in New Mexico.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared disaster emergencies in 12 counties and activated the National Guard.

History

Historical Context

In April 1993 the Mississippi and Missouri rivers burst their banks, flooding about 54,000 square miles across 17 states. The disaster, the worst since the 1927 flood, killed 50 people and caused $12-16 billion in damage, prompting President Bill Clinton to declare a federal disaster and spurring the 1994 Flood Control Act amendments.

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Story summary

San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari ordered evacuations as floodwaters surged across the Four Corners.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
About four feet of water flooded Ferrari’s home.
More than 200 people were rescued from rooftops and flooded homes in New Mexico.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared disaster emergencies in 12 counties and activated the National Guard.

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