Southwest Colorado Faces Persistent Flooding as San Juan River Peaks Below Historic Highs
Massive flooding continues in southwestern Colorado as the San Juan River crests below 1911 levels, triggering widespread emergency evacuations.
POLICY WIRE — Pagosa Springs, Colorado — Severe flooding has gripped southwestern Colorado for a second straight week, as saturated soil and ongoing rainfall maintain high-risk conditions.
While the San Juan River eventually crested below the catastrophic levels that officials previously feared, the region remains under significant threat as water levels stay high.
Earlier projections, forecasts for the area had shifted toward a dire outlook, with experts predicting record-breaking floods along the San Juan in Pagosa Springs.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the river in Pagosa Springs was projected to reach a peak of just under 22 feet by 11 p.m. on Sunday.
This peak was notably lower than earlier estimates that had suggested the water might rise four feet higher than the marks set during the historic flood event of 1911.
The recent surge followed more than three inches of rainfall recorded west of Pagosa Springs, which forced emergency evacuations and caused numerous road closures throughout the region.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)em>
