Flood advisories were active Oct. 26 across the Southwest following days of torrential rain and flash floods that damaged homes, triggered water rescues and knocked out power across several states.
Heavy rain has recently pounded the Four Corners region, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet. Some of the hardest hit areas received up to five inches of rain since Oct. 21, according to the National Weather Service.
A tornado touched down in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Oct. 24, while roads turned to rivers in parts of Colorado, Utah and Arizona. The fast-moving waters led to rescues as authorities opened emergency shelters and called on residents to evacuate low-lying areas.
As of Oct. 26, flood warnings remained active in south-central Colorado,
central New Mexico and southeastern Utah. The advisories were concentrated along riverbanks that could become dangerous as floodwaters move downstream.
"Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads," warned the weather service office in Pueblo, Colorado. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas."
Floods trigger dozens of water rescues
The U.S. 160 bridge over the San Juan River near the Arizona-Colorado border remained closed to traffic on Oct. 25, the Navajo Police Department said. The Montezuma Creek Bridge also was closed, and Navajo emergency management personnel were working to evacuate residents in Bluff, Montezuma Creek and Aneth in southeastern Utah.
The storms also inundated communities across northern Arizona. In Lower Moencopi, a Hopi village near Tuba City, flooding displaced as many as 10 families. Some residents fled with only the clothes they were wearing, a fellow resident told the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In northwestern New Mexico, Navajo police reported that responders had conducted 20 overnight rescue operations, some involving multiple people. Rescue efforts focused on Farmington and west toward Shiprock, police said.
In New Mexico's San Juan County, the state's National Guard conducted at least 11 hoist operations using helicopters, officials said. Residents could be seen stranded on their rooftops while their homes were inundated by floodwaters.
Flooding disrupts wastewater treatment plant
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority said Oct. 25 that flooding had disrupted Shiprock’s wastewater treatment plant and untreated wastewater was being discharged into the San Juan River to prevent sewage from backing up into homes and businesses.
The utility said its water supply runs on a separate system, was unaffected by the flooding and remained safe to use. The utility urged Shiprock sewer customers to use less water to reduce sewage flowing into the river. It recommended putting off laundry, taking shorter showers and using dishwashers less often.
The authority also urged people to avoid the San Juan River and floodwaters in the affected area and keep children, pets and livestock away, warning that the water could contain pathogens and other contaminants.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flood warnings active after heavy rain devastates Four Corners region
