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⚠️Southern Colorado Flooding Update (as of ~11 AM MDT, Oct. 24, 2026) Driven by more than 5 inches of rain in two days. • 🚨 Disaster emergency declared by Gov. Jared Polis for Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, Rio Grande, Conejos, and several other southwest/southern counties (National Guard activated for rescues and support). • 🌊 Major river peaks: San Juan River at Pagosa Springs hit 15.02 ft (2nd-highest on record, highest since 1911; major flood stage is 12.6 ft). Other rivers (Piedra, Animas, Rio Grande, Conejos) also surged. • 🌧️ Rain totals (Oct. 22–23): Pagosa Springs ~5.21 in, South Fork ~4.46 in, Del Norte ~4.15 in. Remnants of Pacific moisture + saturated ground/snowmelt caused rapid rises. • 🏠 Evacuations & damage: ~1,000 people/families evacuated. 80–100 homes ordered out in South Fork area; floodwaters reached 4–7 ft inside some homes. Roads, bridges, sewer lines, and infrastructure damaged. No deaths or injuries reported. • 🚁 Rescues: Helicopter rescue of 2 people + 3 pets from a submerged RV. Swift-water and search teams active. • 🚧 Roads: Multiple closures/damage including parts of US 550 (Red Mountain Pass), US 160, CO 151, CO 17, and others. Conditions still hazardous; avoid flooded areas (“Turn around, don’t drown”). • 📉 Current status: Water levels began receding Friday (slow in places). Pagosa Springs shifting to recovery; flood warnings still active into Saturday afternoon in areas including Conejos, Mineral, and Archuleta counties. Additional rain possible through the weekend, keeping flooding risk elevated along the Rio Grande, Conejos, and nearby waterways into early Sunday. Stay off closed/flooded roads, monitor local emergency alerts (NWS Pueblo, county sheriff pages), and follow evacuation orders if issued. The attached videos & photos show comparison of 2025 to 2026. In 2025 the town park did not get flooded. In 2026 the river banked and flooded the park got fully passing Hermosa St. into the neighboring park. #PagosaSprings #COwx #Flooding