Southwest Floods Force Rescues in Sedona, Evacuations in Pagosa Springs

Flash floods forced evacuations across Arizona and southwest Colorado on Sunday, November 1. A series of Pacific storms began soaking the region Saturday evening, according to the Associated Press. Parts of southwest Colorado had seen rain since Friday. A National Weather Service meteorologist in Tucson said the area was getting "two or three months of rain in a span of a couple of days." Flood warnings and watches covered nearly all of Arizona and parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

In Sedona, officials ordered people near Oak Creek to leave as the water rose. Firefighters reported an "excessive amount" of water rescues, and helicopters lifted people out of neighborhoods. Yavapai County placed at least 100 homes in the evacuation zone. Nearly 20 of those households needed help getting out. Gov. Katie Hobbs said state air crews were assisting with rooftop evacuations. Gila County ordered all of Gisela, a community of several hundred people on Tonto Creek, to leave. Evacuation orders also reached Camp Verde, Cornville, Tonto Basin, Queen Valley and communities on San Carlos Apache and White Mountain Apache land. No deaths or injuries had been reported in Sedona as of Sunday. All of these figures are as of Sunday night and are expected to change.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado is flooding for the second time in about a week. County officials said the San Juan River could crest near 22 feet. The record is 17.8 feet, set in a 1911 flood that wiped out most of the town. The river had reached about 14 feet by sundown Sunday. Mandatory evacuation orders cover low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers, and the town is closed to incoming traffic. Residents were told to stay out of the San Juan after sewage was discharged into it. Neighboring La Plata County closed all of its county roads. The National Weather Service said unusually warm air turned expected snow into rain, with 8 to 12 inches falling above 11,000 feet since Friday.

Gov. Jared Polis told Colorado residents, "Do not wait for flood waters to rise." County officials warned that rescue capacity could become limited as conditions worsen. That is why the first moves in flood survival happen before the water reaches your door. Keep your phone charged and set to receive emergency alerts. A flood emergency kit by the door lets you leave in minutes. If you live near a creek or a wash, know two routes to high ground, because roads that look passable may be damaged. A family flood plan settles where everyone meets and who grabs what.

Where it stands now: rain was expected to taper in Arizona as the system moves east, but the National Weather Service said it could still bring significant precipitation there. Colorado officials expected more rain through Monday morning, and they do not expect river levels to drop quickly. Residents returning to wet homes can start with flood cleanup steps once officials clear the area. Tonight, look up your flood zone and walk your family through the route out. Be Prepared Not Scared!