Severe Floods Hit Southwest US, Triggering Evacuations and Voting Changes
Intense Pacific storm systems dumped months of rain across the American Southwest over the weekend of November 1 and 2, 2026, triggering flash floods, mandatory evacuations, and altered midterm election voting plans in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.
Pacific Storms Prompt Evacuations Across the Four Corners
The National Weather Service estimated that up to 10 centimeters, or 4 inches, of rain would fall across the region through Monday, November 2, 2026. The downpours forced emergency evacuations in parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah within the Four Corners region, alongside northern and central Arizona, according to reporting by Associated Press. In southwestern Colorado, residents fled the rising Animas River as widespread flooding and bridge damage shut down all roads across La Plata County.
Further south in Arizona, the Yavapai County and the community of Camp Verde ordered residents near swollen rivers and streams to evacuate. Gila County officials issued a total evacuation order for Gisela, a community of several hundred residents along Tonto Creek. Tucson emergency responders performed swift-water boat rescues after receiving two to three months of rain in the span of a couple of days, as noted by meteorologist Aaron Hardin of the Tucson weather service office.
Pagosa Springs Modifies Election Day Voting After Flood Threat
Authorities warned of potentially catastrophic flooding in Pagosa Springs, a Colorado resort town of more than 2,000 residents situated near ski areas and hot springs in Archuleta County. The San Juan River peaked late Sunday at 5.1 meters, or 16.81 pies, before beginning to recede. Police noted that a historic 1911 flood had devastated most of the town by reaching approximately 5.4 meters, or 17.8 pies.
The rising waters disrupted midterm election preparations in the town. The Colorado secretary of State’s office established alternative voting plans for Pagosa Springs residents. Voters affected by the floods who had not yet cast their ballots could visit any voting center across the state to request and receive a replacement ballot, the office announced in a press release. Those voting in person outside their home county were restricted to state-level contests, while voters utilizing mail-in ballots could return them to any drop box or voting center statewide before 7:00 p.m. on Election Day for signature verification and counting.
Rising Rivers Threaten New Mexico Communities and Navajo Nation
While water levels started dropping in parts of Colorado by Monday, the San Juan River continued rising downstream into New Mexico, triggering new evacuation orders for residents in San Juan County, including several Navajo communities. The Utah Navajo Health System posted multiple road closures and detours. Additional evacuations took place in Rio Arriba County under a flood warning for the Chama River, while the swelling Jemez River cut off access to local campsites and fishing spots.
In Sedona, Arizona, authorities ordered residents near Oak Creek to leave their homes after floodwaters trapped multiple people inside. Meanwhile, in the Pinetop-Lakeside area of central Arizona, the regional sanitary district reported that manhole covers were popping off and sewage was backing up into residential homes due to the overwhelming volume of water.
Clearer Weather Forecasts As Floodwaters Recede
David Byers, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Grand Junction, Colorado, stated on Monday that the bulk of the rainfall was diminishing and the upcoming days would bring drier conditions. While receding rivers offered initial relief to battered communities, local infrastructure damage remained severe in counties where bridges washed out and roads stayed closed.