Southwest US Grapples with Extensive Mud and Flood Damage Following Weeks of Heavy Rain
The U.S. Southwest is facing significant cleanup efforts after nearly two weeks of intermittent heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, leaving many areas caked in mud and homes shattered. In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, the downtown area remains closed to traffic as workers use heavy equipment to clear roads, and bridges have collapsed or are heavily damaged. Willow Bradner in Durango, Colorado, reported her ranch-style home was surrounded by two feet of mud, with nearly five feet of water entering her basement. Many residents, like Jack Ellis, a retired schoolteacher in Pagosa Springs, describe the situation as a disaster, emphasizing the need for extensive digging and rebuilding. The region has received over 20 trillion gallons of rain in the past two weeks, equivalent to ten months of Niagara Falls flow, according to former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue. This follows an already wet fall, leading to saturated ground and persistent flood risks. One person has d...
