Southern Colorado residents still reeling from “catastrophic” floods over the past week are again being urged to evacuate before a weekend storm expected to bring heavy rain, snow and more flooding, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Sheriff’s officials posted an evacuation alert for people living in low-lying areas because of an incoming storm that could bring “additional flooding, heavy snow and dangerous conditions.”
Floodwaters damaged more than 500 Archuleta County homes after storms caused the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs to surge past 15 feet, the river’s highest level in 115 years, county officials said.
About a quarter of all roads in the county are still impassable because of flood damage, officials said this week. Dozens of people had to be rescued because of the flooding.
“If you have water on your property now, expect more with this storm,” sheriff’s officials said on Facebook.
“Even if you are not in an evacuation area, we urge you to consider evacuating to a safe area for at least the duration of the storm if you have medical needs or do not have the resources to safely shelter in place.”
Parts of southwest Colorado, including Pagosa Springs, Durango, Cortez and Silverton, are again under a flood watch from late tonight through Monday morning because of heavy rain that may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, burn areas and low-lying areas, National Weather Service forecasters wrote in an alert.One to 3 inches of rain are expected “over soils that are still saturated from recent rainfall and flooding,” forecasters wrote.
The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs is expected to crest at 10.58 feet, just above the “minor flood” stage of 10.5 feet, the sheriff’s office said. The Piedra River near Arboles is expected to crest at almost 6 feet.
National Weather Service forecasters also issued a winter storm watch for southwest Colorado because of an incoming system that could bring 8 to 15 inches in the mountains through Monday, with higher amounts possible and wind gusts up to 55 mph.
The winter storm watch includes Telluride, Ouray, Lake City, Silverton, Rico, Hesperus and Lizard Head, Red Mountain, Molas, Coal Bank, Wolf Creek and Cumbres passes.
Storm conditions could delay first responders from reaching people who need help, Archuleta County officials said.
“We strongly encourage residents living in low-lying areas to evacuate now, while resources are available to help you. Please don’t wait until conditions deteriorate,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
People who evacuate should bring important documents and paperwork, including insurance information, along with medications, essential supplies and anything needed to be away from home for several days.
Anyone who needs help evacuating can call Archuleta County dispatch at 970-731-2160.


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