In brief
Flooding across Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico has forced evacuations and prompted rescues, while damage estimates in Colorado and New Mexico reach tens of millions of dollars. Officials have declared emergencies and seek federal aid, and experts warn the region still faces lingering flood risks after over 20 trillion gallons of water fell on the Southwest.
Flooding across the U.S. Southwest has stalled recovery efforts, with new storms prompting evacuations, road closures and rescues Monday, authorities said. The Xinhua agency reported that communities from Arizona to Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico faced sudden storms, prompting emergency declarations and federal aid requests as infrastructure and sanitation systems remain threatened.
In Flagstaff, Arizona, a man swept into floodwaters on Sunday was found dead Monday, KNAU reported, citing police. Firefighters rescued motorists trapped by floodwaters in Phoenix and Scottsdale over the weekend, Arizona's Family reported. Las Vegas Valley saw multiple rescues on Friday, one of which resulted in a death when a person rescued in Henderson later died at a hospital, KTNV reported, citing a city spokesperson.
Pagosa Springs, Colorado, remained evacuated Monday, its government said. Officials closed a bridge on U.S. Highway 160 after erosion threatened a museum that could collapse into the San Juan River. The town’s sewer system, which had recently stabilized, saw renewed flooding cause sewage discharge Sunday. The Colorado Department of Transportation estimated $65 million in damage to federal‑aid roadways last week, warning that high water prevented full inspections of bridges and other structures.
In New Mexico, damage in San Juan County and surrounding areas could exceed $200 million, the governor's office said. Thousands of homes were damaged, and hundreds of water rescues were carried out between Farmington and Bloomfield. Flooding near Bluff, Utah, displaced seven families and four businesses, the state's emergency management agency reported on Friday. Sewage lagoons in San Juan County were overtopped, prompting warnings against contact with the river.
An AP expert says over 20 trillion gallons of water has fallen on the Southwest, underscoring the lingering flood risk even as rain is clearing.