DENVER (KDVR) — Multiple counties in southwest Colorado have issued mandatory evacuation notices due to heavy rainfall leading to intense flooding.
La Plata and Archuleta counties have issued evacuation notices after heavy rain hit the area overnight, sparking flooding of area creeks and rivers.
La Plata County
According to La Plata County, the rainfall caused Vallecito Creek and Grimes Creek north of Vallecito Lake to breach their banks.
The county said around 350 homes have been evacuated north of Vallecito Lake, as Upper Pine River Fire Protection reported that more than 100 homes have been impacted as of Saturday evening.
“Upper Pine is working closely with State Emergency Management and La Plata County Emergency Management officials to get the North Vallecito area declared a state disaster zone,” said the fire protection agency in a Facebook post.
The agency also reported that an evacuation route down County Road 501 from Elkhorn to Five Branches was “impassable” due to the Vallecito Creek Bridge being damaged.
The only evacuation route reported by the agency as open is along County Road 501 and County Road 500, leading to the official evacuation center at Bayfield High School, located at 800 County Road 501.
Archuleta County
The town of Pasogsa Springs, in a press release Saturday evening, said the San Juan River has surged beyond its banks and is currently flooding areas of downtown.
Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said mandatory evacuations are in place for residents on Hermosa Street and San Juan Street just east of Hot Springs Boulevard. Highway 160 is also closed through downtown at the San Juan River Bridge.
The town Saturday evening also issued a local disaster emergency declaration order in response to the flooding of the San Juan River.
According to the town, an evacuation center is open at Ross Aragon Community Center for residents due to the flooding, which is located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood warning for portions of southwest Colorado until 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
