DENVER (KDVR) — Multiple counties in southwest Colorado have issued mandatory evacuation notices due to heavy rainfall leading to intense flooding.
La Plata and Archuleta counties have issued evacuation notices after heavy rain hit the area overnight, sparking flooding of area creeks and rivers.
Gov. Jared Polis on Sunday declared a disaster emergency for the flooding and authorized Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to “take whatever actions may be required for response efforts, including up to the initial $1 million in estimated costs.”
La Plata County
According to La Plata County, the rainfall caused Vallecito Creek and Grimes Creek north of Vallecito Lake to breach their banks.
The county said around 350 homes have been evacuated north of Vallecito Lake, as Upper Pine River Fire Protection reported that more than 100 homes have been impacted as of Saturday evening.
“Upper Pine is working closely with State Emergency Management and La Plata County Emergency Management officials to get the North Vallecito area declared a state disaster zone,” said the fire protection agency in a Facebook post.
The agency also reported that an evacuation route down County Road 501 from Elkhorn to Five Branches was “impassable” due to the Vallecito Creek Bridge being damaged.
The only evacuation route reported by the agency as open is along County Road 501 and County Road 500, leading to the official evacuation center at Bayfield High School, located at 800 County Road 501.
Archuleta County
The town of Pagosa Springs, in a press release Saturday evening, said the San Juan River surged beyond its banks and flooded areas of downtown.
Mandatory evacuations that were in place for residents on Hermosa Street and San Juan Street just east of Hot Springs Boulevard were lifted Sunday morning. Highway 160 was closed through downtown at the San Juan River Bridge but has been deemed safe, according to the Pagosa Springs Police Department.
The town Saturday evening also issued a local disaster emergency declaration order in response to the flooding of the San Juan River.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flood warning for portions of southwest Colorado until 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Jacob Factor contributed to this report.
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