Flood EmergencyMonday, November 2
San Juan County says the overnight hours are crucial as the rivers keep rising
The Daily Farmington team
County spokesperson Devin Neeley said the earlier darkness after the time change makes it hard to see parts of the river, and "the overnight hours are going to be crucial." Last week's evacuations haven't been lifted, and more were expected as the San Juan, Animas and La Plata rivers were forecast to reach action stage.
- Rescues reported as of 4:40 p.m. Sunday: none
- Flood watch: most of Western New Mexico through midday Monday
- Highway 160 into Pagosa Springs: closed at 2 p.m. Sunday
Upstream in Colorado, officials in Pagosa Springs warned of potentially catastrophic flooding, and the river could crest at 21.9 feet as early as 2 a.m. Monday.
21.9 feetprojected Pagosa Springs river crest, as early as 2 a.m. Monday
That would top last week's flooding levels.
Source: KOAT
Back home, Neeley said areas that already flooded will flood again, with greater impacts because of silt, sand and debris in the riverbed. Crews had completed 600 damage assessments before this round, and a river flood watch covers the Animas and La Plata.
The flood threat built from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3
- Oct. 30San Juan County Fire and Rescue has completed 600 damage assessments.
- Oct. 31Steady rain begins in San Juan County Saturday night.
- Nov. 1The county orders evacuations within a half mile of the three rivers.
- Nov. 2The peak threat of river flooding on the Animas and La Plata is expected.
- Nov. 3Parts of San Juan County remain under a flood warning into Tuesday.
Sources: Tri City Record, KOAT, abqjournal, Santa Fe New Mexican
Sources: KOAT, abqjournal, Santa Fe New Mexican, Tri City Record