Pagosa Springs officials are telling residents in low-lying evacuation zones along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers to leave immediately Sunday, November 1, ahead of potentially catastrophic flooding.
The town's emergency page says the San Juan River could crest at 19.71 feet around 11 p.m. Mountain Standard Time Sunday, or 10 p.m. Pacific. That is a forecast. Officials warn that rescue operations may be severely limited during the worst conditions.
The evacuation shelter is Open Door Church, 110 Trinity Lane, Pagosa Springs. Non-emergency evacuation assistance is available at 970-731-2160; call 911 for an immediate emergency.
The town's latest notice says incoming traffic on U.S. 160 will be restricted starting at 2 p.m. MST Sunday, or 1 p.m. Pacific. People evacuating town will be allowed to leave. San Juan Street and Hermosa Street are closed to through traffic.
A separate town notice, dated 11:45 a.m. MST Sunday, says sewage is being discharged into the San Juan River near the First Street Bridge. Avoid all river-water contact, including downstream, officials say.
The Associated Press reports that Sunday's flooding has prompted evacuation orders in both southwestern Colorado and Arizona, following repeated heavy rain on already saturated ground.
Do not wait for more warnings or rising water before leaving an evacuation zone. Officials say residents should not return until authorities announce it is safe.
