Mandatory evacuation orders issued as historic flooding expected in southwest Colorado

Multiple communities in southwest Colorado have either issued mandatory evacuation orders or are urging residents to leave as flooding is forecast to rise above historic levels Sunday.

Officials in Archuleta County and the Town of South Fork have issued mandatory orders. Officials are urging people in low-lying areas around Pagosa Springs to evacuate immediately.

Archuleta County officials said "the river is rising faster than originally anticipated and is now expected to crest higher than previously forecast, potentially as early as" 6 p.m. Sunday.

The National Weather Service has a flood warning in effect for the area through Monday evening with a Particularly Dangerous Situation tag, according to an emergency message posted Sunday. The message said such warnings are not issued lightly and that dangerous, impactful flooding is likely.

Earlier Sunday, the forecast called for the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs to crest as high as 19.71 feet around 11 p.m. Sunday. During the 1911 flood, which wiped out most of what was then the town of Pagosa, the river crested at about 17.8 feet. The current forecast is nearly 2 feet above that level.

The message said anyone in an evacuation zone must leave now, including all low-lying areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo and Piedra rivers. It told people not to wait for the water to rise or for another warning.

Town of South Fork officials said mandatory evacuation is in effect for:

South Fork

South Fork of the Rio Grande from Wolf Creek Ranches on Highway 160 to the confluence, including Beaver Creek Estates. Rio Grande River from River Greens at the confluence to County Road 18.

Del Norte:

Rio Grande River from County Road 18 to Del Norte. Town of Del Norte from the Rio Grande River south to 4th Street. Eastern town limits of Del Norte to the intersection of Highway 160 and County Road 5N.

Officials said the response during the worst of the storm will be extremely limited. Helicopters will be grounded, and first responders may not be able to reach people in danger until the storm passes and conditions improve.

Crews are pre-positioning resources in high-risk areas so teams can respond as quickly as conditions allow, the message said. Additional help is also being brought in, including:

More ground search and rescue teams and equipment with the Colorado National Guard Additional aircraft and air support Specialized rescue teams

Those resources are expected to arrive Sunday and be ready to respond as conditions allow, according to the message.

Members of the South Metro Fire Rescue and Members of the Northern Colorado Water Rescue Teams were deployed Sunday to the area.

"If you have not watched the weather, basically what's happening is they're getting more weather coming in today through tonight. Supposed to crest around midnight tonight. It's supposed to be at levels that haven't been seen since 1911, and that pretty much wiped out that area. So we don't know exactly what we're up against. We'll find out more once we get there," a South Metro Fire official told team members before deploying Sunday Morning.

He reminded the team members that Swiftwater is absolutely the most dangerous and most unpredictable thing we have of any of the disciplines that we do. It was it was an honor to be asked to do it."

Officials said Pagosa Springs wil close to call incoming traffic at 2 p.m. Sunday. Traffic will be allowed to leave, but incoming traffic won't be able to enter including re-entry into the area.

Traffic control points include:

Highway 160

Highway 84 14th Street County Road 119 County Road 500/Apache St. at the radio station Hurt Lane/Stollsteimer Road Oakridge Drive

Additional traffic control points are:

Cemetery Road (County Road 411) and Crestview Drive County Road 500 and Cascade

People who have medical needs, rely on electrically powered medical equipment or feel unsafe for any reason should move to a safe location now, the message said.

Open Door Church is being used as an evacuation shelter. The church is located at 110 Trinity Lane in Pagosa Springs.

Small animals can be taken to the Humane Society at 463 Cloman Boulevard. Large animals can be taken to Archuleta County Fairgrounds at 344 Hightway 84.

Emergency Contacts

Emergencies: 911

Evacuation Assistance: 970-731-2160

County Incident Call Center: 970-508-9928 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The latest updates can be found on Pagosa Springs' website.